Meda acquires Aldara follow-up product from 3M

Meda has acquired the European rights to sotirimod from 3M. Sotirimod primary use is to treat actinic keratosis and is a follow-up to Aldara (active substance: imiquimod). Sotirimod and imiquimod are immunomodulatory drugs that activate the body’s own immune defences through the skin, which help to fight skin lesions such as actinic keratosis. Aldara is the market leader within its segment with annual sales of SEK 250 million and solid growth.

Sotirimod is a patented substance in late clinical development. It is more potent than imiquimod and has in study in humans been shown to treat actinic keratosis with higher efficacy than Aldara. Actinic keratosis is characterised by reddish-brown flaking on sunburned skin and can be precancerous. This disease affects more than 30 million people in Europe.

Meda paid USD 10 million for the product and may pay an additional USD 10 million in milestone payments at defined stages of development and commercialisation.

“Actinic keratosis is a common skin disease, so it’s important to continue developing new, improved therapies in this area,” says Anders Lönner, Meda’s CEO. “Our goal is to develop sotirimod into a next generation Aldara that is more effective and easier to use. By acquiring sotirimod, Meda further expands its dermatology product portfolio.”

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