Benzinga | Nov 9, 2021 04:28PM EST

Acorda Therapeutics Announces Agreement To Commercialize INBRIJA In Germany; Acorda Will Receive A 5M Upfront Payment, And Will Receive Additional Sales-based Milestones

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACOR) today announced that it has entered into distribution and supply agreements with Esteve Pharmaceuticals GmbH (ESTEVE) to commercialize INBRIJA(r) 33 mg (levodopa inhalation powder, hard capsules) in Germany. INBRIJA is indicated in the EU for the intermittent treatment of episodic motor fluctuations (OFF episodes) in adult patients with Parkinson's disease treated with a levodopa/dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor. (1) Acorda had previously announced an agreement with ESTEVE to commercialize INBRIJA in Spain.

"We are delighted to announce this second commercialization agreement with ESTEVE, which will make INBRIJA available to the many people with Parkinson's in Germany who would benefit from an "as needed" treatment for their OFF periods," said Ron Cohen, M.D., President and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics. "ESTEVE has an impressive track record of successfully commercializing pharmaceuticals in Europe for neurological and other indications. We continue to be in active discussions with additional companies for the rights to distribute INBRIJA in other countries in Europe and the rest of the world."

Under the terms of the distribution agreement, ACORDA will receive a (euro)5 million upfront payment, and will receive additional sales-based milestones. ACORDA will also receive a significant double-digit percent of the selling price of INBRIJA in Germany in exchange for supply of the product. ESTEVE will have the exclusive distribution rights to INBRIJA in Germany and ACORDA will supply the product to ESTEVE. ESTEVE expects to launch INBRIJA in Germany by mid-2022.

According to current population estimates, there are up to 400,000 people living with Parkinson's disease in Germany, and there are 20 new cases per 10,000 people per year.