H.
Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) and Merck, known outside the United
States and Canada as MSD, today announced a
commercialization agreement for SYCREST(R) (asenapine) sublingual tablets (5
mg, 10 mg). Under the terms of the agreement, Lundbeck will pay an undisclosed
fee as well as product supply payments in exchange for exclusive commercial
rights to SYCREST in all markets outside the United
States, China
and Japan.
Lundbeck expects to launch SYCREST in the European Union (EU), where it is already
approved,at the beginning of 2011. Merck will retain exclusive commercial
rights to asenapine in the United States,
China and Japan.

Merck has launched asenapine in the United States under the brand name SAPHRIS(R)
(asenapine) sublingual tablets (5 mg, 10 mg).

“We are very pleased to be collaborating with Lundbeck
on this important commercial milestone. Lundbeck has extensive experience in psychiatry
and is the ideal partner to provide physicians and their patients with access
to this important medicine in the markets where they will commercialize
SYCREST,” said Beverly Lybrand, senior vice president and general manager,
neuroscience and ophthalmology, Merck.

“Merck will continue to focus our efforts on marketing
SAPHRIS in the United States
as part of our ongoing commitment to researching, developing and delivering
medicines in the neurosciences disease area.” “This agreement
highlights our strategic focus on late-stage specialty central nervous system
(CNS) products and our ambition to provide long-term growth opportunities for
Lundbeck,” said Ulf Wiinberg, president & chief executive officer at
Lundbeck. “We are very pleased to include SYCREST in our existing portfolio
of specialty CNS products and see great opportunities to leverage our highly
dedicated sales infrastructure.”