Biovitrum, a biotechnology company based in Sweden and Syntonix Pharmaceuticals of Waltham, MA, have agreed to jointly develop and commercialize a recombinant factor IX product (FIX) for the treatment of hemophilia B.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will evenly share the cost and profits associated with development and commercialization. “We are pleased to develop FIX:Fc with Syntonix because Syntonix’ SynFusionTM technology has resulted in a very promising, long-acting recombinant Factor IX product that has the potential to reduce the frequency of infusions required for Hemophilia B patients to manage their disease,” said Mats Pettersson, CEO of Biovitrum.

The only current recombinant FIX product licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is BeneFIX®, manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. In 1997 BeneFIX® received FDA approval for treatment in hemophilia B patients.

Source: Biovitrum press release dated January 23, 2006