Under the terms of the agreement, JCR receives exclusive rights to commercialise givinostat for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in Japan and will be responsible for the local execution of clinical development activities, as well as regulatory submissions.

Givinostat (marketed as Duvyzat^® in the US, UK and EU) is an orally administered histone deacetylase inhibitor developed by Italfarmaco to treat DMD, regardless of the underlying dystrophin gene mutation. It has obtained regulatory authorisation across several major markets, including the US, EU and the UK; it is currently not approved in Japan.

The agreement also establishes a broader strategic collaboration between the two companies to explore joint opportunities for the treatment of rare diseases.

“This partnership is a key milestone in our global strategy to expand access to givinostat and deepen our impact in rare diseases,” said Antonio Nardi, Vice President and Head of Business & Portfolio Development of Italfarmaco. “JCR’s commitment to innovation, strong local expertise, and focus on patient-centred science make them an ideal partner for the expansion of our rare disease portfolios, not only in Japan, but also globally.”

“Partnering with Italfarmaco is an important step for JCR as we enter the next phase of our growth and may be the first step in a long-lasting relationship between both companies that may extend into future research and development partnerships and cross-licensing opportunities,” said Shin Ashida, Chairman, President and CEO of JCR Pharmaceuticals. “We remain dedicated to developing therapies for the rare disease community, and givinostat extends this commitment to an even broader group of patients with rare diseases in Japan.”

Francesco De Santis, Chairman of Italfarmaco Group, added: “By joining forces with JCR, we are expanding access to an important DMD therapy for the Japanese Duchenne community and also laying the groundwork for future innovations in rare diseases. Together, we are committed to delivering meaningful solutions where they are needed most.”