Lilly and Amylin end diabetes pact

Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals have mutually terminated their decade-long diabetes partnership for exenatide.

As part of the global agreement, Amylin will gain full responsibility for the drug and make an upfront payment of $250 million, plus 15% of future global net sales to Lilly, up to the combined total of $1.2 billion.

Enrique Conterno, President of Lilly Diabetes, said: “This marks an amicable end to a very productive 10-year collaboration that will continue to benefit many people worldwide. Lilly and Amylin are proud of the important accomplishments we achieved together.”

The partnership between Amylin and Lilly provided various innovations to the diabetes market, including Byetta and Bydureon.

Byetta was the first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist to be approved by the FDA in April 2005. It is an injectable prescription that improves glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, when used in conjunction with a diet and exercise programme.

Investigational Bydureon received marketing authorisation in the EU in June 2011 for type 2 diabetes, and is currently under review in the US.

Daniel M. Bradbury, President and CEO of Amylin, said: “We anticipate working with one or more partners outside the US in order to maximise the global potential of this innovative molecule and achieve greater operational flexibility and efficiency.”

The mutual agreement confirms that Amylin will resume worldwide drug development and commercialisation, starting in the US and progressing to all markets by the end of 2013.