Glenmark, Evestra To Jointly Develop And Sell NuvaRing Copy In US

Drug maker Glenmark and Evestra Inc, a San Antonio-based biopharmaceutical research and development company with focus in women’s healthcare, have signed a licensing and commercialization agreement for development and marketing of a generic version of Merck & Co.’s NuvaRing, for the US market.

NuvaRing is a etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring for birth control. Merk & Co posted a sales of $768 million for NuvaRing n 2016. The development of the generic version is currently under way and Glenmark and Evestra are expected to file an ANDA (Abbreviated New Drug Application) in financial year 2019.

As per the agreement, Evestra will develop this product exclusively for Glenmark for the US market, and will receive certain milestone payments during various stages of the product’s development, including royalties on net sales.

“Bringing high-quality and affordable options to market has been a core commitment for Glenmark since the beginning,” said Robert Matsuk, President – North America and Global API, Glenmark.

“The partnership with Evestra underscores that focus, and expands our portfolio into a leading non-daily contraceptive option prescribed to millions of women in the US,” he added.

Glenmark has secured exclusive marketing and distribution rights for the product, including an option to commercialize two additional Evestra vaginal ring products, for the U.S. market.

“This is an important US-based strategic partnership for Evestra,” said President and CEO Ze’ev Shaked. “By aligning our efforts, we expect to make great strides in improving women’s healthcare and access to options that are significantly more accessible due to their lower costs. We are excited to work with Glenmark,” he said.