Aralez Pharmaceuticals acquires US and Canadian rights to Zontivity (vorapaxar) from Merck Inc.

Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that it acquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to Zontivity (vorapaxar), pursuant to an asset purchase agreement entered into between Merck, and Aralez Pharmaceuticals Trading DAC, a subsidiary of Aralez, based in Ireland.

Zontivity is the first and only approved therapy shown to inhibit the protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), the primary receptor for thrombin, which is considered to be the most potent activator of platelets. In the U.S., Zontivity is indicated for the reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with a history of heart attack (myocardial infarction) or in patients with narrowing of leg arteries, called peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and should be used in combination with daily aspirin and/or clopidogrel according to their indications or standard of care. In Canada, Zonitivity (vorapaxar sulfate) co-administered with aspirin with or without clopidogrel, according to their standard of care, is indicated for the reduction of atherothrombotic events in adult high-risk patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI).The asset purchase agreement included an initial upfront payment of $25 million, which was paid from cash on hand.

Aralez sees Zontivity, which is approved to reduce blood clots in patients with a history of heart attack or peripheral artery disease, as an �excellent strategic fit� with its drug candidate, Yosprala, which combines aspirin with stomach remedy omeprazole.

Comment: Aralez Pharma is the product of a merger between Tribute Pharmaceuticals and Pozen.