Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS; NYSE: BMY) is set to regain full control of mavacamten, a treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), from China’s LianBio (NASDAQ: LIAN) in China and other Asian markets. This strategic move follows LianBio’s previous acquisition of development rights for mavacamten in Greater China, Singapore, and Thailand from MyoKardia Inc. under an August 2020 deal.
Deal Details and Financials
Under the terms of the original agreement, LianBio paid USD 40 million upfront and committed to up to USD 147.5 million in regulatory and sales milestones. BMS, which acquired MyoKardia for USD 13.1 billion in October 2020, will now pay LianBio a one-time fee of USD 350 million to terminate the previous license deal. Additionally, LianBio will be released from the remaining USD 127.5 million in milestone payment commitments.
Mavacamten: Market Presence and Impact
Mavacamten, marketed as Camzyos, is the first-in-class cardiac myosin inhibitor that targets the excess contractility and impaired relaxation associated with HCM. The drug received its first approval in the US in April 2022 for the treatment of class II-III obstructive HCM (oHCM) and has since been approved in major markets, including South Korea, Macau, and Singapore. An NDA was filed with China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in April of this year, with approval expected next year, significantly enhancing BMS’s presence in the China market, where an estimated 1.1 million to 2.8 million patients live with HCM.
HCM: Disease Overview and Treatment Needs
HCM can be categorized into obstructive and non-obstructive forms, with both groups of patients experiencing fatigue or shortness of breath due to exertion. The condition is also linked to increased risks of atrial fibrillation, stroke, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death, underscoring the importance of effective treatments like mavacamten.-Fineline Info & Tech
