Depomed, Inc. (NASDAQ: DEPO) announced today that the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing a New Drug Application (NDA) from Mallinckrodt (NYSE: MNK) for MNK-795. MNK-795 is a controlled-release oral formulation of oxycodone and acetaminophen that has been studied for the management of moderate to severe acute pain where the use of an opioid analgesic is appropriate. MNK-795 is formulated with Depomed's Acuform® drug delivery technology.
The NDA acceptance triggers a $5 million milestone payment to Depomed under a license agreement between Depomed and Mallinckrodt. Depomed is also entitled to an additional milestone payment upon approval of the NDA and high single digit royalties on net sales of MNK-795, if approved.
The FDA granted the NDA a priority review, a designation given to drugs that, if approved, offer significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment when compared to standard applications.
"We are pleased that the FDA has accepted the NDA for MNK-795 for filing, and we look forward to potential approval of this product," said Jim Schoeneck, President and CEO of Depomed. "Depomed's proprietary Acuform drug-delivery technology is also being used (under similar milestone and royalty terms) by Mallinckrodt in development of another pipeline product that is being studied in patients with acute, moderate to severe pain. Should either or both of these products be approved, we believe that the combination of milestones and royalties on net sales can make a significant contribution to Depomed's future revenues."
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