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www.fdanews.com/articles/85561-japanese-american-drugmakers-sign-agreement-for-chemoprotective-drug

JAPANESE, AMERICAN DRUGMAKERS SIGN AGREEMENT FOR CHEMOPROTECTIVE DRUG

March 27, 2006

Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical and Aska Pharmaceuticals have signed a licensing agreement with U.S. drug companies BioNumerik and KI Pharmaceuticals for Tavocept, a chemoprotective agent developed by BioNumerik.

Under the agreement, Takeda will sell Tavocept in Japan, with KI having co-production rights, while Aska will continue clinical studies on the drug. In 2004, BioNumerik and Takeda entered into a development agreement under which BioNumerik granted Takeda the exclusive right to market Tavocept in the U.S. and Canada.

Tavocept has been shown to prevent nerve and kidney damage in cancer patients being treated with taxanes and platinum drugs.