Amag licenses cancer-treatment side effect drug for $3.3 million

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Drug maker Amag Pharmaceuticals has licensed the U.S. commercial rights to a treatment for a common side effect of cancer treatments from another company, Amag said Monday.

Amag said it licensed the rights for MuGard, used to treat oral mucositis, a condition that affects about 400,000 cancer patients each year. The drug is an oral mucoadhesive that works by creating a gel coating over the oral mucosa to shield the membranes of the mouth and tongue.

"Oral mucositis can be a frequent and problematic side effect of both chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer patients," Amag chief commercial officer Greg Madison said. "We believe that MuGard could become a category leader in the hands of our skilled sales force, and that our experienced commercial team, our relationships with hematology and oncology practices and our partnerships with key group purchasing organizations can help drive significant growth of this brand."

Under the deal, Amag will pay Access $3.3 million upfront in exchange for exclusive commercial rights to the drug in the United States.