Mithra and Gedeon Richter sign binding Head of Terms to commercialize ESTELLE® and DONESTA® in China
Mithra (Euronext Brussels: MITRA), a company dedicated to Women’s Health, today announces the signing of a binding Head of Terms (HoT) with Gedeon Richter Plc. related to an agreement for the development and commercialization of ESTELLE® and DONESTA® in China. ESTELLE® is the first estetrolbased combined oral contraceptive (15 mg estetrol (E4) / 3 mg drospirenone) and DONESTA® is Mithra’s investigational, next generation hormone therapy medicine containing estetrol (E4) for the treatment of the symptoms of menopause.
Mithra signs binding Head of Terms for a twenty-year partnership with GedeonRichter for the development and commercialization of ESTELLE ® and DONESTA® in China
Mithra to receive EUR 4.5 million in combined milestone payments at signature of the license agreements with additional combined regulatory milestones of EUR 1.2 million
Mithra eligible to receive a combined total of EUR 8.5 million sales related milestones and additional high-single-digit to low-double-digit percent tiered royalties after launch
ESTELLE® to target an addressable contraceptive market in China valued at EUR 104 million annually (with a 5-year CAGR ~15%) (1)
DONESTA® to target an addressable menopause market in China valued at EUR 87 million annually (with a 5-year CAGR at ~10%) (1)
Upon the finalization of the license agreements, Gedeon Richter will have the exclusive commercial rights for both ESTELLE® and DONESTA® in China. Gedeon Richter will perform and fund the clinical studies required to obtain marketing approvals in China.
Upon the closing of the two licencing agreements, Mithra will receive a combined milestone payment of EUR 4.5 million. The deal also foresees a total of EUR 1.2 million in payments for the achievement of regulatory milestones for both products, and a EUR 8.5 million in salesrelated milestones, as well as a high-single-digit to low-double-digit percent share of cumulative net sales (royalties) after launch. China is a major Asian market and pivotal for Gedeon Richter to enable it to better serve women’s needs in the Asia Pacific region. According to recent data, the 2023 addressable market for contraceptives in China stands at EUR 104 million annually with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 15% over the past five years while the addressable market for menopause is valued at EUR 87 million with a CAGR of around 10% during the last five years (1).
David Horn Solomon, CEO of Mithra stated, “We are excited to sign this agreement with our valued partner Gedeon Richter. Both ESTELLE® and DONESTA® will enable us to offer differentiated efficacy, safety, and convenience to millions of women across China. Oral contraceptives are commonly used by women in China and there is a major demand for menopause medication in this growing market, which counts an impressive 660 million women across all ages. We are convinced that our offering will make an active difference to their lives. We look forward to working closely with our partner to support their drive for success there.”
Erik Bogsch, Chairman of the Board of Gedeon Richter commented, “We strongly believe that Gedeon Richter will address women's increasing health needs and meet a growing demand for innovative therapies with both E4-containing products. We look forward to working together with Mithra throughout our market entry process. With Mithra’s innovation engine and Gedeon Richter's commercialization capabilities, we will be able to offer this market a next generation solution that will have a positive impact on millions of women’s lives across this vast market.”
ESTELLE®, Mithra’s first E4-based product is commercialized as a combined oral contraceptive in the US and Canada under the brand name NEXTSTELLIS® and in Europe by Gedeon Richter as DROVELIS®. DONESTA® is Mithra’s next generation orally administered E4-based hormone therapy product candidate.
(1) IQVIA Analytics Link – Moving Annual Total Q2/2023