La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Sept. 23, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rhizen Pharmaceuticals S.A. today announced an out-licensing agreement for TGR-1202, a novel next generation PI3K-delta inhibitor. TG Therapeutics exercised its option for early conversion to a licensing agreement from a 50:50 joint venture partnership.
In exchange for this licensing agreement, TG Therapeutics will pay Rhizen an upfront payment of $8.0 million ($4.0 million in cash and $4.0 million in TG Therapeutics common stock). In addition to the upfront payment, Rhizen will be eligible to receive regulatory filing, approval and sales based milestones in the aggregate of approximately $240 million, and tiered royalties based on net sales.
Swaroop Vakkalanka, Ph.D. and President of Rhizen stated, "We are extremely happy and take pride in discovering a novel, next generation, once-daily PI3K-delta inhibitor under active development led by TG Therapeutics. We are encouraged by the progress of TRG-1202 to date, and the speed at which TG Therapeutics is developing the asset in various hematological malignancies. We look forward to the day this novel drug reaches cancer patients in need of new and safe therapies."
About Rhizen Pharmaceuticals S.A.:
Rhizen Pharmaceuticals is an innovative, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, immune and metabolic disorders. Since its establishment in 2008, Rhizen has created a diverse pipeline of proprietary drug candidates targeting several cancers and immune associated cellular pathways. Rhizen is headquartered in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. For additional information, please visit Rhizen's website, www.rhizen.com.