Verus, UCB to commercialize allergy treatment Twinject in Europe

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., Aug. 21 - Verus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and UCB have formed an agreement for the commercialization of Twinject, an epinephrine auto-injector for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions in Europe.

The product, launched in the United States and Canada in 2005, contains two doses of epinephrine in a single, compact device for self-administration.

The agreement includes an upfront payment to Verus, along with future launch and sales milestone payments, and royalties based on sales of Twinject (0.3 mg and 0.15 mg versions) and Twinject line extensions under development by Verus.

In addition, UCB has an option to commercialize the entire Twinject product line in all other territories beyond Europe (excluding the United States and Canada) and an option to commercialize certain next-generation products under development by Verus for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis.

"There are significant unmet medical needs for those individuals at risk for anaphylaxis and, unfortunately, a dual-dose treatment option is not available in Europe today. As a result, we are very pleased to be partnering with UCB, a company with a premier allergy franchise and significant commercial capabilities, to bring Twinject to European patients at risk for this life-threatening condition," Verus president and chief executive officer Robert W. Keith said in a news release.

UCB said it will now move toward beginning the European regulatory process for this novel product for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening systemic reaction triggered by exposure to one or more various antigens, including foods, insect stings, drugs and latex products.

San Diego-based Verus is a pediatric-oriented specialty pharmaceutical company.

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company located in Brussels, Belgium.

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