Helsinn Group, a leading supportive cancer care company, has recently inked an exclusive license & distribution agreement for VALCHLOR^® gel 0.016% in China. VALCHLOR^® (mechlorethamine) gel has been used as a topical treatment of MF-CTCL, which is short for mycosis fungoides-type cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It is presently under review by the China NMPA (National Medical Products Administration).

Under the terms of the recent licensing & distribution deal, Helsinn will grant an exclusive license to Kyowa Kirin to promote, distribute, market, and sell VALCHLOR^® gel in the country. Additionally, the company will be responsible for the regulatory activities, clinical development, as well as the supply of VALCHLOR^® for its commercial use in the region.

Mycosis fungoides is the most commonly occurring forms of a blood cancer type, CTCL (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma). It is one of the rare diseases that has been impacting around 30,000 patients worldwide. Moreover, it accounts for nearly 45% of the primary cutaneous lymphomas.

According to the CEO & VP of Helsinn Group, Dr. Riccardo Braglia, the company is thrilled to have entered an agreement with Kyowa Kirin to distribute VALCHLOR^® in China, which can be considered a crucial milestone for the company as well as patients with MF-CTCL across the globe. Kyowa Kirin has maintained a robust and established presence in this market. This strong presence, in addition to the shared vision and commitment of the company to improve treatments for cancer patients, has made for an ideal partnership.

VALCHLOR^® has been contraindicated in patients with severe hypersensitivity to mechlorethamine. Anaphylaxis and other hypersensitivity reactions have also been occurring with topical mechlorethamine formulations. The most common side-effects of this prescription medicine were hyperpigmentation (5%), skin ulceration or blistering (6%), bacterial skin infection (11%), pruritus (20%), and dermatitis (56%).

However, Dr. Tan Boon Heon, President of Kyowa Kirin in the APAC region has reportedly touted VALCHLOR® as the latest addition to an expanding portfolio of innovative treatments in the nephrology, hemato-oncology and rare disease sectors in Asia, bringing an essential treatment for patients of MF-CTCL in China.

Source credit:

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/12/01/2137104/0/en/Helsinn-and-Kyowa-Kirin-Asia-Pacific-sign-exclusive-license-and-distribution-agreement-to-strengthen-their-presence-in-Asia-Pacific-s-rare-disease-therapy-area.html