Sentynl Therapeutics, a Zydus company acquires Zokinvy for Progeria from Eiger Biopharma

Ahmedabad: Sentynl Therapeutics, Inc., a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company wholly-owned by Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. (Zydus Group), and Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc., a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative therapies for rare metabolic diseases, have announced the closing of the sale of Eiger’s Zokinvy (lonafarnib) program to Sentynl.

Zokinvy is the treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to target the cause and symptoms of Progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), and Processing-Deficient Progeroid Laminopathies (PDPL) in young people 12 months of age and older. Collectively known as Progeria, HGPS and PDPL are ultra-rare, fatal, genetic premature aging diseases that accelerate mortality in young patients.

Following its U.S. approval in 2020, Zokinvy secured approval in the European Union and Great Britain (2022) and in Japan (January 2024).

Speaking on the acquisition, Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences Ltd, said, “This acquisition marks an important milestone in growing our portfolio of medicines for rare and orphan diseases, which can have devastating consequences if left untreated. We are focused on supporting patients to live healthier and more fulfilled lives. The acquisition of Zokinvy furthers this mission, as it has demonstrated a meaningful impact on young patients and their families.” “It is an honor to add Zokinvy to our portfolio of products that have a tangible impact on the lives of rare disease patients, whose needs are too often unmet or overlooked,” said Matt Heck, President & Chief Executive Officer of Sentynl. “We are firmly committed to provide best-in-class global access to Zokinvy and are eager to serve the patients and their families affected by Progeria. We are grateful to Eiger and The Progeria Research Foundation for their dedicated effort to develop and secure availability of this lifechanging product.”

"We are pleased to complete this agreement with Sentynl, given our shared commitment to supporting patients of life-threatening, rare conditions with high unmet medical needs," said David Apelian, MD, PhD, MBA, CEO of Eiger. "We thank the Progeria Research Foundation for their continued support of Zokinvy."

Audrey Gordon, President and Executive Director of The Progeria Research Foundation (PRF), added, “Without Zokinvy therapy, children with Progeria die of the same heart disease that affects millions of normally aging adults, but by an average age of 14.5 years old. Zokinvy gives these beautiful children longer, healthier lives. Since we first launched PRF in 1999, we have achieved tremendous progress in global awareness, breakthrough research, and treatment of Progeria. We are thankful for our successful partnership with Eiger, and are excited to now join forces with Sentynl in our journey to continue advancing the research and treatment of this syndrome, with the ultimate goal to find the cure.”

As previously disclosed by Eiger, on April 1, 2024, Eiger and its direct subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (Chapter 11 Cases) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas (Bankruptcy Court). On April 17, 2024, following the completion of the auction held as part of the Eiger’s court-supervised sale process, Sentynl was designated the winning bidder with a final bid during the auction of a base price in the amount of $46.1 million less a credit in the amount of $0.9 million for the termination fee resulting in a net base price in the amount of $45.2 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments, including a reduction of $100,000 per diem if the sale closed after April 24, 2024. At a hearing held on April 23, 2024, the Bankruptcy Court approved the sale to Sentynl, with the sale closing on May 3, 2024. Under the terms of the acquisition, Sentynl acquired global rights to Zokinvy and will be responsible for its manufacture and commercialization.

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