The release of a new platinum-based chemotherapy treatment has come a step closer with the news that two firms have agreed a deal to co-develop and market the drug.

Following initial trials of satraplatin, which could be used to treat prostate cancer, Pharmion and GPC Biotech have announced a joint venture to commercialise the drug

Under the agreement, Pharmion is to pay GPC Biotech around $37.1 million and in return will receive the commercial rights for satraplatin in Europe, Turkey, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

The joint development plan will help to fund further trials into the effectiveness of the drug, while filing a Marketing Authorisation Application and a New Drug Application to continue with the process of licensing it.

Patrick J. Mahaffy, Pharmion's president, said: "We believe that satraplatin has the potential to provide significant additional benefits in the well-characterised platinum treatment class, and we will work closely with GPC Biotech to get this vital therapy to physicians and patients as quickly as possible."

Satraplatin is the only oral platinum-based drug currently at the advanced clinical development stage and follows the continuing success of other platinum drugs used to treat cancer.






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