Maruishi gains exclusive rights to develop, commercialize Cara Therapeutics' CR845 in Japan

Cara Therapeutics, Inc. and Maruishi Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd. (Maruishi) today announced that they have entered into a License Agreement providing Maruishi with exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize Cara's lead analgesic drug candidate, CR845, for acute pain and uremic pruritus in Japan.  CR845 is a highly selective, peptide-based, peripherally-restricted kappa opioid receptor agonist currently in development in the United States for the treatment of acute and chronic pain.  Under the terms of the agreement, Cara received an up-front payment, including an equity investment, and is eligible to receive further milestone payments related to pre-defined clinical and regulatory events in Japan and the U.S., as well as royalties on Japanese sales of any marketed products containing  CR845.

"Maruishi is a leader in perioperative care and anesthetic products and its excellence in clinical development, marketing and sales in Japan makes it an ideal partner for the commercialization of CR845 within this region," said Derek Chalmers , CEO of Cara Therapeutics. "This significant transaction not only provides Cara with the ability to continue the development of both the IV and oral formulations of CR845 in the U.S. but also will allow the Company to expand its clinical and commercial activities into a territory where pharma companies are now seeing double-digit growth in sales."

Maruishi's President Keiichi Inoue commented, "We are excited to enter into this agreement with Cara.  We see the CR845 program as an opportunity to expand our product line in the perioperative care market in Japan and believe that CR845 may also provide a new treatment option for patients with uremic pruritus in Japan."