Pfizer, Biohaven to Commercialize Small Molecule Migraine Drugs

Pfizer and Biohaven recently completed a collaboration transaction to commercialize small molecule migraine drugs, rimegepant and zavegepant, outside the US.

Rimegepant, commercialized as Nurtex ODT in the US, is the only oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist approved for both acute and preventive treatment of migraine in adults.

And zavegepant is a selective small molecule CGRP receptor antagonist that recently achieved positive Phase 3 topline data in its second pivotal clinical trial for the acute treatment of migraine in adults.

If approved, zavegepant will be the first intranasal CGRP receptor antagonist to treat acute migraine in adults.

A Pfizer spokesperson explained that intranasal treatments offer additional potential benefits, including speed of onset and a non-oral delivery for patients who experience significant nausea or vomiting.

“The successful closing of our collaboration agreements represents an important and exciting step in expanding the impact of rimegepant to people outside the US with migraine,” Nick Lagunowich, global president of Pfizer internal medicine, said in the announcement.

“We are enthusiastic about working with the Biohaven team to bring this valuable new treatment option to the millions of people across the globe suffering from migraine,” Lagunowich continued.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer made a $500 million upfront payment to Biohaven. In addition, Biohaven is eligible to receive up to $740 million in future milestones.

Pfizer will compensate Biohaven for a share of its sales-based milestone obligations owed to Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and the related royalties on net sales outside the US.

At close, Pfizer will own three percent of Biohaven.

Over one billion people suffer from migraine worldwide, of which 75 percent are women. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies migraine as one of the ten most disabling medical illnesses.

Experts stress a notable unmet need for new acute and preventive treatments due to a lack of efficacy, safety, or tolerability burden.

Vlad Coric, MD, chairman and CEO of Biohaven, emphasized that the companies hope to establish a world-class migraine business that can provide new treatment options for people living with this debilitating disease.