Singapore: In a bid to provide a new treatment options to patients with multiple sclerosis in Japan, Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Japan's leading drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical have started working under close cooperation.

Both the companies are working on further deals relating to the licensing of rights to Takeda to commercialize Teva's glatiramer acetate (the active ingredient of blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone) in Japan. Glatiramer acetate for injection is considered standard treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, and is now approved in 55 countries worldwide.

Teva's glatiramer acetate is designated as an orphan drug in Japan, and currently is under development as an Unapproved New Drug by Teva Pharmaceutical KK, at the request of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Under the terms of the agreement, Teva will grant Takeda commercialization rights in Japan, and, without giving a timeline, Takeda will submit a New Drug Application for registration of glatiramer acetate in Japan. Financial details of the agreement are confidential.

Teva and Takeda will work under close cooperation so that both parties can provide a new treatment option to patients with multiple sclerosis in Japan as early as possible, where the current available therapies are still limited.