• 5-HT_1B/1D receptor agonist
• Indicated for the acute treatment of migraine headache
• Enjoys growing sales and market share

Frovatriptan is one of a class of prescription drugs called triptans, several of which are approved for the treatment of migraine.

Long half-life in the bloodstream

The key feature of frovatriptan is its exceptionally long blood half-life, which is in the region of 26 hours.

As the first marketed product for Vernalis, frovatriptan was approved for the acute treatment of migraine in the EU in 2001 and in the United States in 2002, and remains on the market in these and other territories.
 
Despite the setback, in 2007, when frovatriptan failed to gain approval for the alternative indication of menstrual migraine it continues to sell well and is successfully marketed in many countries. It’s licensed to Menarini  for Europe, Central America and Brazil, and Vernalis earns royalties on sales in these territories. Endo Pharmaceuticals has the rights to market frovatriptan in North America but Vernalis only receives a royalty once sales exceed $85m.  Sales in 2010 were $59 million. SK Chemicals holds the rights to the South Korean market (approved in 2009) and Vernalis will receive royalties once launched.  Marketing rights in other areas of the world are still available.

Menarini markets the product in Europe and Central America and plans further launches in these markets over the next few years.

During 2009, Vernalis had only limited economic interest in Menarini frovatriptan sales. But on 8th March 2010 (with effect from 1 January 2010), Vernalis regained 100% of the royalties receivable on Menarini’s sales by terminating agreements under which Paul Capital Healthcare had acquired an interest in 90 per cent of the Menarini royalty stream. Menarini reported net sales of frovatriptan for 2010 of €31.3 million (2009: €32.4million) and we receive a royalty rate equivalent to 25.25% on these sales.

Vernalis only earns royalties on Endo’s sales of Frova® (its brand of frovatriptan) in the US above US$85 million per annum. Endo reported net sales of Frova® in 2010 of US$59 million (2009: US$58 million).

SK Chemicals is currently negotiating a reimbursement price for South Korea.