A Japanese pharmaceutical company with a U.S. subsidiary in Atlanta has signed a worldwide license agreement to develop and market ospemifene, a drug for post-menopausal symptoms.

Under the agreement, Shionogi and Co. Ltd., headquartered in Osaka, Japan, will make an upfront payment of $25 million to QuatRx Pharmaceuticals Co. of Ann Arbor, Mich. Shionogi Pharma Inc., formerly named Sciele Pharma Inc., is headquartered in Atlanta. It was acquired by Shionogi in 2008 for $1.1 billion.

QuatRx is eligible for additional payments of more than $100 million, according to a news release by the companies.

Based on clinical trials performed by QuatRx, an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will be filed this year seeking permission to offer ospemifene in the United States. Ospemifene mimics the positive effects of estrogen, the news release said. QuatRx is eligible for additional payments pending approval of the drug outside the U.S., according to the news release.

For more information on Shionogi click here.

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