Knight Therapeutics Inc. and Sumitomo Pharma America Inc. announced the completion of exclusive licensing agreements that will transfer commercialization rights for three key pharmaceutical products to Knight's Canadian operations. The transaction, valued at C$25.4 million upfront with potential additional payments of up to C$15.75 million based on sales milestones, includes MYFEMBREE (relugolix/estradiol/norethindrone acetate), ORGOVYX (relugolix), and vibegron.
Strategic Portfolio Expansion
The acquired product portfolio generated C$11.2 million in revenue for the year ended March 2025, representing a significant addition to Knight's Canadian specialty pharmaceutical business. Knight will gain exclusive rights to distribute, promote, market, and sell these products in Canada following a transition period from Sumitomo Pharma Canada.
"This transaction is another great example of our continued execution on our growth strategy of building a portfolio of innovative products," said Samira Sakhia, President and Chief Executive Officer of Knight Therapeutics Inc. "MYFEMBREE, ORGOVYX and vibegron are highly synergistic with our current Canadian business in women's health with IMVEXXY and BIJUVA, as well as in urology and prostate cancer with TRELSTAR."
Key Product Profiles
MYFEMBREE: First-in-Class Oral Treatment
MYFEMBREE represents a significant therapeutic advancement, having received Health Canada approval in September 2023 as the first oral prescription treatment for both heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids and moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis in pre-menopausal women. The combination therapy contains relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1 mg, and norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg tablets. According to IQVIA data, MYFEMBREE generated approximately C$2.9 million in Canadian sales during 2024.
ORGOVYX: Novel Prostate Cancer Treatment
ORGOVYX, containing relugolix 120mg tablets, achieved a significant regulatory milestone as the first and only oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist approved by Health Canada in October 2023 for treating adult patients with advanced prostate cancer. The drug functions as a GnRH antagonist, blocking the pituitary GnRH receptor to reduce luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone release, consequently decreasing testicular testosterone production. IQVIA reported ORGOVYX sales of approximately C$1.2 million in Canada during 2024.
Vibegron: Overactive Bladder Solution
Vibegron, marketed as GEMTESA in the United States, targets overactive bladder symptoms through selective β3 adrenergic receptor activation. The 75mg tablets work by relaxing the bladder detrusor muscle to increase bladder capacity, addressing urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency in adults.
Strategic Rationale
For Sumitomo Pharma, the divestiture aligns with broader strategic objectives focused on core U.S. operations and pipeline development. "This divestiture is aligned with our long-term strategy to focus on and grow our core brands in the U.S. and to accelerate commercialization of our pipeline assets for oncology, regenerative medicine and cell therapy," said Tsutomu Nakagawa, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of SMPA.
Financial Structure
Beyond the C$25.4 million upfront payment, Knight may pay additional contingent payments of up to C$15.75 million upon achieving specific sales milestones. The company also expects to invest an estimated C$7 million for inventory acquisition over the next eight months, bringing the total potential transaction value to approximately C$48.15 million.
The transaction structure reflects confidence in the commercial potential of these specialty pharmaceutical products within the Canadian market, particularly given their innovative mechanisms of action and established regulatory approvals from Health Canada.
