(AOF) – French healthcare company Biocorp and pharmaceutical group Merck KGaA, based in Darmstadt, Germany, are joining forces for the development and global distribution of a specific version of Mallya for drug delivery devices. The two companies are thus extending their collaboration after a program already underway. Biocorp will receive development payments plus post-launch sales revenue after several key milestones have been validated.
Mallya is a smart device for injection pens, which collects the dose and time of each injection and transfers the information in real time to a smartphone application. It was the first in its class to receive the CE mark (medical device) and commercial versions for insulin injection pens are already available and distributed in Europe and other countries.
Agreements have already been signed by Biocorp with Sanofi, Novo Nordisk and Merck KGaA to develop specific versions of the technology in the area of insulin and human growth hormone (HGH).
Biocorp and Merck KGaA will develop a new version of Mallya to help patients monitor their injection during treatment. The device will automatically keep track of the doses injected using a timestamp and will indicate whether the product is correctly administered, in order to help patients self-inject and reassure them.
The financial terms of the partnership include payments from Merck KGaA of up to €5 million for product development during the first three years of the collaboration. Incremental revenue is expected to reach €8 million in the first five years post-launch, depending on commercial milestones and patient adoption of Mallya devices from Merck KGaA with further upside potential in subsequent years .