SK Biopharm, Dong-A ST sign licensing deal of Cenobamate

South Korea's SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. announced on Thursday that it has signed a contract with Dong-A ST to transfer the rights to commercialize the anti-epileptic drug Cenobamate in 30 countries for up to 14 billion won ($10.7 million)

Dong-A ST will be responsible for regulatory approval, drug product (DP) manufacturing, and sales of Cenobamate in 30 countries including South Korea, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Russia, and Australia.

SK Biopharm will receive an upfront payment of 5 billion won ($3.8 million) and stands to secure up to $10.7 million based on domestic and international approvals, insurance reimbursement, and sales milestones.

SK Biopharm secured a substance patent for Cenobamate in the United States in Oct. 2007, received regulatory approval as a new drug in November 2019, and officially launched it in May 2020.

The drug is currently available in 108 countries, including the United States and 41 European countries. Phase 3 trials for adult partial-onset seizures in epilepsy are ongoing in South Korea, China, and Japan.

Upon completion of these trials by SK Biopharm next year, Dong-A ST plans to launch Cenobamate in South Korea in 2026, with further plans to pursue approval and supply in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Russia, and South Africa.

"We will do our best to ensure that it can be supplied in the 30 countries including South Korea as early as possible," Dong-A ST CEO Kim Min-Young said. 

SK Biopharm CEO Lee Dong Hoon expressed expectations that Dong-A ST would be a reliable partner to quickly and stably provide the benefits of Cenobamate to patients in various countries, including South Korea.

Write to Jeong Min Nam at peux@hankyung.com