Albireo, Ajinomoto deal

Albireo granted Ajinomoto's Ajinomoto Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. unit exclusive rights to develop and commercialize elobixibat ( A3309) in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Taiwan. Albireo will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible for undisclosed milestones, plus tiered double-digit royalties. In 2010, the inhibitor of solute carrier family 10 sodium-dependent bile acid transporter member 2 ( SLC10A2; ASBT; IBAT) met the primary endpoint in a Phase IIb trial for chronic constipation. Phase III testing is slated to begin this year. The product is also in development to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Details were not disclosed (see BioCentury, Oct. 18, 2010). ...