Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCMKTS: EGRX) has finalized a $69 million agreement to monetize its royalty interest in BENDEKA® (bendamustine hydrochloride injection), securing immediate non-dilutive capital while maintaining long-term rights to the cancer treatment.
The agreement, announced on March 31, 2025, involves selling royalty interests to an entity backed by funds managed by Blue Owl Capital Inc. The transaction covers a specified portion of Eagle's royalty interest for BENDEKA sales in the fourth quarter of 2024, followed by 100% of royalty interests thereafter, up to a cap of 1.3 times the purchase price. Once this cap is reached, all future royalty payments will revert to Eagle.
"Blue Owl's capital support for the royalty interest of BENDEKA underscores the value of this asset as an important therapy for the treatment of CLL and NHL. This transaction will provide immediate, non-dilutive capital to Eagle," said Christopher Krawtschuk, Chief Financial Officer of Eagle.
Strategic Financial Restructuring
Eagle plans to utilize the proceeds to eliminate its existing debt obligations, including $27.5 million remaining on a term loan and $25 million under a revolving credit facility. The remaining funds will support general corporate purposes, strengthening the company's financial position.
The transaction represents a strategic move to monetize a revenue stream while preserving long-term value, as royalty payments will eventually return to Eagle once the specified cap is reached.
BENDEKA's Clinical Significance
BENDEKA is a specialized formulation of bendamustine designed for more efficient administration. The ready-to-dilute liquid requires only a low volume (50 mL) and can be administered via a short ten-minute infusion, potentially improving the treatment experience for patients and healthcare providers.
The drug holds FDA approval for two significant hematological malignancies:
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a slow-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow that primarily affects older adults
- Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with rituximab or rituximab-containing regimens
These indications address substantial unmet needs in hematological oncology, where treatment options for relapsed or refractory disease remain limited.
Pipeline Development Continues
Despite the royalty monetization, Eagle confirmed its commitment to advancing its research and development pipeline. The company highlighted two key programs:
CAL02 - A novel first-in-class anti-virulence agent being developed for severe community-acquired bacterial pneumonia as an adjunct to standard care. This approach targets bacterial virulence factors rather than the bacteria themselves, potentially offering a new mechanism to combat infections without contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
EA 114 - A proprietary formulation of fulvestrant in development for hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer. Fulvestrant is an established selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), and Eagle's novel formulation aims to improve upon existing treatment options.
"This transaction strengthens our ability to advance our pipeline candidates addressing significant unmet medical needs," Krawtschuk noted. "We remain focused on developing innovative medicines that result in meaningful improvements in patients' lives."
Transaction Details
Armentum Partners, LLC served as Eagle's financial advisor for the transaction, with Latham & Watkins LLP providing legal counsel. Blue Owl received legal representation from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
The agreement comes at a transitional time for Eagle, which is currently trading on the OTC Expert Market rather than a major exchange. The company has faced challenges including delays in financial reporting and the need to recruit a new Chief Executive Officer.
About Eagle Pharmaceuticals
Eagle Pharmaceuticals is a fully integrated pharmaceutical company with capabilities spanning research and development, clinical trials, manufacturing, and commercialization. The company's portfolio includes several marketed products beyond BENDEKA, such as PEMFEXY®, RYANODEX®, BELRAPZO®, TREAKISYM® (in Japan), and BYFAVO® and BARHEMSYS® through its wholly owned subsidiary Acacia Pharma Inc.
The company focuses on developing medicines for oncology and critical care, with an emphasis on addressing underserved therapeutic areas and contributing to the personalized medicine paradigm in cancer care.
