Kyowa Kirin partners with NewBridge Pharmaceuticals to expand rare disease treatment access in MENA

UK—Kyowa Kirin International (KKI), a Japan-based global specialty pharmaceutical company, has announced a significant Promotion and Distribution Agreement with NewBridge Pharmaceuticals.

This new partnership will see NewBridge distribute KKI’s rare disease portfolio across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Under the agreement, NewBridge will commercialize two key products: CRYSVITA (burosumab) and POTELIGEO (mogamulizumab). 

CRYSVITA is used for treating X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) and Tumour-Induced Osteomalacia (TIO), while POTELIGEO is indicated for two subtypes of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The scope of this agreement grants NewBridge exclusive rights to distribute these products in Algeria, Iraq, Libya, and Jordan.

With a combined population of 100 million across these countries, this partnership will significantly enhance access to essential medications in the region. 

This collaboration supports Kyowa Kirin’s commitment to expanding its geographical reach and addressing patients’ needs internationally.

Beyond commercializing these treatments, the partnership between KKI and NewBridge aims to tackle several challenges within the rare disease community in MENA. 

The focus will be increasing disease awareness, improving diagnostic timelines, and enhancing access to innovative treatments for rare and orphan diseases.

Jeremy Morgan, President of KKI, expressed his enthusiasm about the agreement, highlighting the company’s mission to deliver life-changing medicines and bring smiles to patients’ faces.

 He noted the importance of partnering with NewBridge Pharmaceuticals, a company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients and their families in the MENA region.

Morgan reaffirmed KKI’s commitment to providing significant value to individuals affected by underdiagnosed and underserved diseases.

Similarly, Joe Henein, President & CEO of NewBridge Pharmaceuticals, emphasized the high prevalence of rare diseases in the MENA region and expressed his personal pride in expanding their partnership with Kyowa Kirin.

He stressed that this collaboration aligns perfectly with NewBridge’s mission to offer new therapies to patients, aiming to alleviate their suffering and improve their quality of life.