Pharmaceutical companies Maxygen and Roche have agreed to collaborate on the research, development and marketing of a new recombinant factor VIIa product. Factor VIIa is a protein integral to the blood coagulation process. The product could be used for the treatment of intra-cerebral hemorrhage (ICH), uncontrolled, trauma-induced bleeding and other indications. Under the agreement Maxygen, which is based in Redwood City, CA, will lead early stage clinical development and Roche, headquartered in Grenzacherstrasse, Switzerland, will lead the later stage. Roche retains exclusive rights to commercialize factor VIIa worldwide for acute indications, while Maxygen has the option to co-fund marketing activities in the U.S. In addition, Maxygen holds all rights to develop and commercialize recombinant factor VIIa product for the treatment of hemophilia.

The only recombinant factor VIIa product currently available is NovoSeven®, manufactured by Denmark-based Novo Nordisk. NovoSeven® is indicated for the treatment of hemophilia A and B patients with inhibitors to factor VIII and IX, and for bleeding episodes in patients with factor VII deficiency.

Source: PR Newswire and World Market Analysis, December 15, 2005