RedHill Announces U.S. Co-Promotion Agreement with Napo Pharmaceuticals for HIV/AIDS Anti-Diarrheal Drug Mytesi

RedHill Biopharma Ltd. announced that it has entered into a co-promotion agreement with Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Napo), a human health company developing and commercializing novel gastrointestinal prescription products from plants used traditionally in rainforest areas, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jaguar Health, granting RedHill exclusive U.S. rights to co-promote Mytesi (crofelemer 125 mg delayed-release tablets) for the approved indication in people living with HIV/AIDS with respect to certain gastroenterologists and primary care physicians. RedHill expects to commence U.S. promotion of Mytesi in the coming weeks.

Mytesi is the only anti-diarrheal studied in and U.S. FDA-approved for the symptomatic relief of noninfectious diarrhea in adults living with HIV/AIDS on anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Mytesi is a prescription treatment for diarrhea that works differently, by acting locally in the GI tract to normalize the flow of water.

“We believe this co-promotion program will play a significant role in extending the reach of our commercial efforts into the GI medical community in support of the treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS with Mytesi, a novel, first-in-class gastrointestinal product,” Lisa Conte, Jaguar’s president and CEO, stated. “Under the terms of the agreement, RedHill will be compensated based on performance, and the program can be extended by agreement between the two companies.”

Dror Ben-Asher, RedHill’s CEO, said: “We look forward to working with Napo to make this important drug available to more patients suffering from diarrhea associated with HIV/AIDS. Mytesi is the fourth product to be promoted by RedHill and the first first-in-class, FDA-approved drug to be promoted by our gastrointestinal-focused U.S. sales force. We share Napo’s enthusiasm that Mytesi will be a successful, novel entry to GI care, and we are eager to support its commercial expansion.”

RedHill already promotes three gastrointestinal products in the U.S., Donnatal (Phenobarbital, Hyoscyamine Sulfate, Atropine Sulfate, Scopolamine Hydrobromide)2, Esomeprazole Strontium Delayed-Release Capsules 49.3 mg3 and EnteraGam (serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin/protein isolate, SBI).