Publicly-Traded Addiction Treatment Co. Signs Exclusive Licensing Agreement With Alar Pharmaceuticals

Addiction treatment company Indivior PLC INDV obtained exclusive global rights to develop, produce and commercialize Alar Pharmaceuticals’ portfolio of long-acting injectable formulations that release a prodrug1 of buprenorphine at varying durations, including its lead long-acting injectable (LAI) candidate, ALA-1000.

"Alar provides Indivior with a unique opportunity to further address unmet patient needs in the treatment of OUD with potentially the first three-month buprenorphine LAI," stated Christian Heidbreder, chief scientific officer. "By providing a therapeutic option for patients who might benefit from less frequent dosing, ALA-1000 has the potential to broaden the spectrum of care for OUD treatment as well as enhance the addressable patient population."

Global Rights

Under the agreement, Indivior will pay $10 million to secure exclusive global rights (except in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau) to develop, manufacture and commercialize ALA-1000 and Alar's future buprenorphine-based LAI product candidates. The $10 million payment is in addition to an initial $5 million option payment made by Indivior to Alar in Q1. Alar is entitled to potential milestone payments if various developmental, regulatory, and commercial goals are achieved.

ALA-1000 is an investigational drug and is positioned to be the first three-month buprenorphine administered subcutaneously entering the clinical stage. With dosage intervals of potentially up to four times per year, ALA-1000 could address unmet opioid use disorder patient needs with a longer duration of treatment, which could provide an option for patients seeking a less frequent maintenance therapy regimen, for patients living in remote areas without easy access to care, and for high-risk patients, such as those transitioning from the Justice system.

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