Cinclus Pharma Holding AB has entered into a significant commercialization agreement with Zentiva for its lead asset linaprazan glurate across European markets. The deal, valued at €220 million (approximately SEK 2.4 billion), establishes a strategic partnership to bring this novel treatment for severe erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (eGERD) to patients throughout Europe.
Under the terms of the agreement, Zentiva will make an upfront payment of €13 million (approximately SEK 143 million) to Cinclus Pharma, with an additional milestone payment of €5 million expected in 2026. The Swedish biopharmaceutical company will also receive tiered double-digit royalties on European net sales, beginning in the high teens and potentially exceeding 20% at the highest tiers.
Novel Treatment Approach for GERD
Linaprazan glurate represents a next-generation potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB), designed specifically for patients suffering from severe erosive GERD. This therapeutic approach offers potential advantages over current standard treatments, particularly for patients with inadequate response to existing therapies.
The global addressable market for this treatment is estimated at 19 million patients, with approximately 10 million across Europe and the United States. Cinclus Pharma has announced plans to initiate its first Phase III clinical study with linaprazan glurate in the third quarter of 2025.
Strategic Benefits for Both Companies
Christer Ahlberg, CEO of Cinclus Pharma, described the alliance as "a significant inflection point" for the company, highlighting Zentiva's extensive commercial reach and operational capabilities across European markets.
"This alliance establishes a fully integrated set of capabilities covering everything necessary to bring linaprazan glurate to the market across Europe," Ahlberg stated. "The alliance benefits from world-leading expertise in gastroenterology-focused development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and commercialization."
Importantly, Cinclus Pharma retains full commercial rights to the US market, which represents a substantial portion of the global opportunity for linaprazan glurate.
For Zentiva, the partnership aligns with its strategic expansion beyond generic medications into specialty pharmaceuticals. Martin Albert, CSO of Zentiva, emphasized that linaprazan glurate "perfectly fits our strategy to leverage our excellence in generics and deliver game-changing treatments to patients across Europe."
Market Impact and Future Outlook
The collaboration represents a significant development in the gastroenterology therapeutic landscape, particularly for GERD treatment options. Erosive GERD affects millions of patients globally, with many experiencing inadequate symptom control with current proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapies.
As a potassium-competitive acid blocker, linaprazan glurate belongs to a newer class of acid-suppressing medications that may offer more rapid onset of action and more consistent acid control compared to traditional PPIs. The upcoming Phase III program will be critical in establishing the clinical profile of this potential new treatment option.
The partnership between Cinclus Pharma and Zentiva combines specialized pharmaceutical development expertise with established European commercial infrastructure, potentially accelerating the path to market for this novel GERD therapy while allowing Cinclus to maintain its focus on the valuable US market opportunity.
