CSL Seqirus has signed an exclusive license and distribution agreement to commercialise Amarin's VAZKEPA (icosapent ethyl) in Australia and New Zealand.
Under the terms of the agreement, Amarin will be responsible for product supply and CSL Seqirus will be responsible for commercialisation.
Amarin is an Irish-American biopharmaceutical company that was founded in 1993.
VAZKEPA was approved by the TGA in November last year and New Zealand's Medsafe in January 2023 to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in adult statin-treated patients at high CV risk with elevated triglycerides and established cardiovascular disease, or diabetes and at least one other CV risk factor.
According to Danielle Dowell, CSL Seqirus executive director of commercial operations Asia Pacific, the agreement is an important step in helping address unmet need for patients.
“We are very excited to be working with Amarin to bring this treatment to patients with cardiovascular disease. This product is an important addition to Seqirus' growing broad portfolio of in-licensed medicines in Australia and New Zealand,” she said.
“Alongside our work in infectious diseases and antivenoms, we’re focused on working with international partners to make innovative treatments available in ANZ that can address diseases with a high burden on our community.
“As part of commercialisation, we’re now looking to submit an application for reimbursement to the PBAC.”
CSL Seqirus executive medical director Dr Jonathan Anderson said that reducing the burden of CV disease is a key health priority and one intervention can be the adequate management and control of elevated lipids including cholesterol and triglycerides.
“In Australia, cardiovascular disease affects 1.2 million people, and its impact can be far-reaching. High triglycerides, alongside raised cholesterol can increase the chances of developing and maintaining fatty plaques in the arteries leading to the recurrence of heart attack and stroke. Management of high lipid levels to reduce risk includes healthy eating, increased regular exercise, as well in some cases the use of medicines,” said Dr Anderson.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Amarin to work towards making the product available here to help provide another management option for reduction of recurrence of cardiovascular disease associated with elevated triglycerides."