-Lexicon to receive an upfront payment of $25 million and the potential for contingent regulatory and commercial milestone payments
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ( LXRX) today announced that Viatris Inc. ( VTRS) has obtained an exclusive license from Lexicon to commercialize sotagliflozin outside of the United States and Europe in all indications. Lexicon retains sole commercialization rights for sotagliflozin in all indications in the United States and Europe.
Sotagliflozin was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May 2023 to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visit in adults with heart failure or type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and other cardiovascular risk factors.
“We are pleased to be working with Viatris, a company with strong cardiometabolic expertise, global commercial capabilities and a successful track record of launching medicines in new territories. We are confident that this agreement will expand the reach of sotagliflozin to more patients in need,” said Dr. Mike Exton, Ph.D., chief executive officer and director of Lexicon. “Partnering with high quality companies to support commercialization of our medicines globally is a critical pillar of our Lead to Succeed strategy at Lexicon. We plan to continue to evaluate strategic partnerships for additional assets, territories and indications to augment Lexicon’s development and commercial capabilities, advance our pipeline and expand access of our medicines to more patients around the world.”
Viatris chief commercial officer Corinne Le Goff said: “This licensing agreement with Lexicon adds another asset to our expanding innovative portfolio in cardiovascular diseases which gives us the opportunity to further drive accelerated and durable revenue growth in the future. We believe we will be able to leverage our strong foundation in cardiovascular diseases and our unique infrastructure to execute on the potential of sotagliflozin. We look forward to working with Lexicon to make a real difference and expand access for patients.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Viatris has acquired rights to sotagliflozin in all global markets outside of the U.S. and Europe in exchange for an upfront payment to Lexicon of $25 million, and the potential for contingent regulatory and sales milestone payments and tiered royalties ranging from low-double-digit to upper-teens on annual net sales. Viatris will be responsible for all regulatory and commercialization activities for sotagliflozin in the licensed territories. Lexicon will be responsible for providing clinical and commercial supply of sotagliflozin to Viatris at an agreed upon transfer price.
About Lexicon Pharmaceuticals
Lexicon is a biopharmaceutical company with a mission of pioneering medicines that transform patients’ lives. Through its Genome5000™ program, Lexicon scientists studied the role and function of nearly 5,000 genes and identified more than 100 protein targets with significant therapeutic potential in a range of diseases. Through the precise targeting of these proteins, Lexicon is pioneering the discovery and development of innovative medicines to safely and effectively treat disease. Lexicon is commercially launching one of these medicines, INPEFA® (sotagliflozin) in the United States, and has a pipeline of other promising drug candidates in discovery and clinical and preclinical development in neuropathic pain, diabetes and metabolism and other indications. For additional information, please visit www.lexpharma.com.
About Viatris
Viatris Inc. ( VTRS) is a global healthcare company uniquely positioned to bridge the traditional divide between generics and brands, combining the best of both to more holistically address healthcare needs globally. With a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, Viatris provides access at scale, currently supplying high-quality medicines to approximately 1 billion patients around the world annually and touching all of life’s moments, from birth to the end of life, acute conditions to chronic diseases. With its exceptionally extensive and diverse portfolio of medicines, a one-of-a-kind global supply chain designed to reach more people when and where they need them, and the scientific expertise to address some of the world’s most enduring health challenges, access takes on deep meaning at Viatris. Viatris is headquartered in the U.S., with global centers in Pittsburgh, Shanghai and Hyderabad, India. Learn more at viatris.com and investor.viatris.com, and connect with Viatris on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).
About Sotagliflozin
Discovered using Lexicon’s unique approach to gene science, sotagliflozin is an oral inhibitor of two proteins responsible for glucose regulation known as sodium-glucose cotransporter types 2 and 1 (SGLT2 and SGLT1). SGLT2 is responsible for glucose and sodium reabsorption by the kidney and SGLT1 is responsible for glucose and sodium absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Sotagliflozin has been studied in multiple patient populations encompassing heart failure, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease in clinical studies involving approximately 20,000 patients.
INDICATION
INPEFA is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visit in adults with: 
- heart failure or 
- type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and other cardiovascular risk factors 
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Dosing: Assess renal function and volume status and, if necessary, correct volume depletion prior to initiation of INPEFA.  INPEFA dosing for patients with decompensated heart failure may begin when patients are hemodynamically stable, including when hospitalized or immediately upon discharge. 
Contraindications: INPEFA is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to INPEFA or any of its components. 
Ketoacidosis: INPEFA increases the risk of ketoacidosis in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).  Type 2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and pancreatic disorders are also risk factors.  The risk of ketoacidosis may be greater with higher doses.  There have been postmarketing reports of fatal events of ketoacidosis in patients with type 2 diabetes using sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.  Before initiating INPEFA, assess risk factors for ketoacidosis. Consider ketone monitoring in patients with T1DM and consider ketone monitoring in others at risk for ketoacidosis and educate patients on the signs/symptoms of ketoacidosis.  Patients receiving INPEFA may require monitoring and temporary discontinuation of therapy in clinical situations known to predispose to ketoacidosis.  INPEFA is not indicated for glycemic control. 
Assess patients who present with signs and symptoms of metabolic acidosis or ketoacidosis, regardless of blood glucose level.  If suspected, discontinue INPEFA, evaluate, and treat promptly.  Monitor patients for resolution of ketoacidosis before restarting INPEFA. 
Volume Depletion: INPEFA can cause intravascular volume depletion which may sometimes manifest as symptomatic hypotension or acute transient changes in creatinine.  There have been post-marketing reports of acute kidney injury, some requiring hospitalization and dialysis, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving SGLT2 inhibitors.  Patients with impaired renal function (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2), elderly patients, or patients on loop diuretics may be at increased risk for volume depletion or hypotension.  Before initiating INPEFA in patients with one or more of these characteristics, assess volume status and renal function, and monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension during therapy. 
Urosepsis and Pyelonephritis: Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors, including INPEFA, increases the risk for urinary tract infections.  Serious urinary tract infections including urosepsis and pyelonephritis requiring hospitalization have been reported. Evaluate patients for signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections and treat promptly. 
Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use with Insulin and Insulin Secretagogues: Insulin and insulin secretagogues are known to cause hypoglycemia.  INPEFA may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or an insulin secretagogue.  Therefore, a lower dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be required to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia when used with INPEFA.
Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene): Reports of Fournier’s Gangrene, a rare but serious and life-threatening necrotizing infection requiring urgent surgical intervention, have been identified in post-marketing surveillance in patients with diabetes mellitus receiving SGLT2 inhibitors.  Assess patients who present with pain, tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital or perineal area, along with fever or malaise. If suspected, start treatment immediately with broad-spectrum antibiotics and, if necessary, surgical debridement.  Discontinue INPEFA, closely monitor patient signs and symptoms, and provide appropriate alternative therapy for heart failure. 
Genital Mycotic Infections: INPEFA increases the risk of genital mycotic infections.  Monitor and treat as appropriate. 
Urinary Glucose Test and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) Assay: these are not reliable for patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors.  Use alternative testing methods to monitor glucose levels.
Common Adverse Reactions: the most commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5%) were urinary tract infection, volume depletion, diarrhea, and hypoglycemia. 
Drug Interactions:
- Digoxin: Monitor patients appropriately as there is an increase in the exposure of digoxin when coadministered with INPEFA 400 mg.
- Uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) Inducer: The coadministration of rifampicin, an inducer of UGTs, with sotagliflozin resulted in a decrease in the exposure of sotagliflozin.  
- Lithium: Concomitant use of an SGLT2 inhibitor with lithium may decrease serum lithium concentrations.  Monitor serum lithium concentration more frequently during INPEFA initiation and with dosage changes. 
Use in Specific Populations:
- Pregnancy and Lactation: INPEFA is not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, nor while breastfeeding. 
- Geriatric Use: No INPEFA dosage change is recommended based on age.  No overall differences in efficacy were detected between these patients and younger patients, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.  Elderly patients may be at increased risk for volume depletion adverse reactions, including hypotension.
- Renal Impairment: INPEFA was evaluated in patients with chronic kidney disease (eGFR 25 to 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and in patients with heart failure with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.  The safety profile of INPEFA across eGFR subgroups in these studies was consistent with the known safety profile.  There was an increase in volume-related adverse events (e.g., hypotension, dizziness) in patients with eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m2 relative to the overall safety population.  Efficacy and safety studies with INPEFA did not enroll patients with an eGFR less than 25 mL/min/1.73 m2 or on dialysis.  After starting therapy in the studies, patients were discontinued if eGFR fell below 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or were initiated on chronic dialysis.
- Hepatic Impairment: INPEFA is not recommended in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.
Click here for full Prescribing Information.
https://www.lexpharma.com/inpefa-US-PI.pdf
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” including statements relating to Lexicon’s financial position and long-term outlook on its business, growth and future operating results, discovery and development of products, strategic alliances and intellectual property, as well as other matters that are not historical facts or information. All forward-looking statements are based on management’s current assumptions and expectations and involve risks, uncertainties and other important factors, specifically including Lexicon’s ability to meet its capital requirements, successfully commercialize INPEFA in heart failure on the timeline and/or at the prices currently contemplated or at all, conduct preclinical and clinical development and obtain necessary regulatory approvals of sotagliflozin (in other indications), LX9211, LX9851 and its other drug candidates on its anticipated timelines, achieve its operational objectives, obtain patent protection for its discoveries and establish strategic alliances, as well as additional factors relating to manufacturing, intellectual property rights, and the therapeutic or commercial value of its drug candidates. Any of these risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause Lexicon’s actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Information identifying such important factors is contained under “Risk Factors” in Lexicon’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other subsequent disclosure documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lexicon undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For Media and Investor Inquiries:
Lisa DeFrancesco
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
[email protected]
