Clinigen Group plc, the global pharmaceutical and services company, and CHEPLAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH (‘CHEPLAPHARM’), the family-owned pharmaceutical company based in Germany, have signed an exclusive distribution agreement for chemotherapy products Etopophos^® and Vepesid^® in Australia and New Zealand.

CHEPLAPHARM acquired the global rights to the products from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) in August 2018. CHEPLAPHARM has global capabilities in manufacturing and distribution and will continue to supply and provide access to these medicines for patients. Clinigen has been appointed by CHEPLAPHARM to distribute Etopophos^® and Vepesid^® via the Group’s extensive infrastructure in Australia and New Zealand as part of CHEPLAPHARM’S network of exclusive cooperation partners.

Etopophos^® and Vepesid^® are etoposide products, a drug which is included in the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines and is considered an essential medicine for priority diseases. Etopophos^® and Vepesid^® are currently approved for the treatment of:

• Small Cell Lung Cancer - in combination with other approved chemotherapeutic agents as first-line treatment in patients with small-cell lung cancer
• Hodgkin's Disease
• Malignant (non-Hodgkin's) lymphomas, especially of the histiocytic variety
• Acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia
• Testicular tumours in combination regimens for the treatment of refractory testicular tumours

Etopophos^® is also indicated as part of first-line combination regimens for the treatment of testicular tumours.

Benjamin Miny, Senior Vice President of Commercial Medicines, Clinigen Group, said, “This agreement is in line with our in-licensing strategy in Commercial Medicines to focus on value-added oncology products and to partner with pharmaceutical companies to distribute and provide access to their products utilising our global infrastructure.

“CHEPLAPHARM is an important partner in Australia and New Zealand and these products are a fantastic fit for our portfolio. The agreement will provide healthcare professionals in the region with access to important treatments for their patients.”