Merck and Co Inc has announced a deal with Pfizer Inc for the development and commerical offering for ertugliflozin. The drug would be evaluated in fixed doses together with metformin and Januvia. Januvia is a Merck and Co product while Pfizer owns ertugliflozin.
Ertugliflozin is an oral sodium glucose cotransporter inhibitor used to help in the treatment of Type II diabetes. The study is currently on its third phase and would commence later in the year.
Under the deal, Pfizer got US$60 million in milestone and upfront payments from Merck. Pfizer is also eligible for the achievement of pre-set milestones in the clinical, regulatory and commercial development of the drug. Revenues and other costs are divided between Merck and Pfizer under a 3:2 ratio.
This collaboration helps improve the diabletes portfolio of Merck after its success with Januvia and Janumet. Januvia is DPP IV inhibitor for the treatment of Type II diabetes and was approved back in 2006. When combined with metformin into single pill, the result is Janumet.
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