Grünenthal has acquired US-based Thar Pharmaceuticals Inc. to expand its development portfolio of treatment options for CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), a serious, disabling orphan disease

Aachen, Germany / Pittsburgh, PA, USA (ots) -

- The acquisition supports Grünenthal's commercial and R&D
strategy to drive innovation in pain.
- Thar Pharmaceutical's lead compound, T121, complements
Grünenthal's existing development pipeline and the goal of
delivering innovative and effective treatments to patients with
CRPS.
- Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), an orphan
disease, suffer from severe, persistent pain and a variety of
other disabling symptoms.
- There is a significant unmet medical need for those suffering
from CRPS. Classic analgesics offer only limited symptomatic
relief; there are no sufficiently effective treatment options
available.
- There are no FDA or EMA approved drug treatments for CRPS.

Grünenthal, an R&D-driven, privately held international
pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Germany, has announced
its recent acquisition of Thar Pharmaceuticals, a US-based
clinical-stage, specialty pharmaceutical company. Thar
Pharmaceuticals focused on transforming IV-only drugs into oral drugs
for existing and new indications using its proprietary technology
EnhanceTM development platform. With this acquisition, Grünenthal has
obtained the worldwide development and commercialization rights for
Thar Pharmaceutical's lead development candidate, T121.

T121 is a novel, Phase III-ready, composition-of-matter patented
oral zoledronic acid drug product. It has received orphan drug
designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. T121
complements and broadens Grünenthal's portfolio for CRPS, which
includes IV neridronate that is currently in phase III clinical
development.

Grünenthal will conduct clinical phase III development to
demonstrate efficacy and safety of T121 for the treatment of patients
with CRPS. Preclinical(1) and pilot clinical(2) evidence suggest that
zoledronic acid could significantly reduce pain and other
debilitating symptoms of CRPS.

"Grünenthal is highly dedicated to improving the life of patients
with pain and orphan diseases that have limited treatment options",
said Gabriel Baertschi, CEO of the Grünenthal Group. "As global
leader in pain, we strive to develop innovative, life-changing
products. This acquisition fully supports our strategy to become a
leading player in CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)."

"We are expanding our development portfolio for treating patients
with orphan, disabling diseases. For CRPS, an often debilitating,
extremely painful syndrome, truly efficacious treatments are lacking
today", explained Dr. Klaus-Dieter Langner, Chief Scientific Officer
of Grünenthal. "With the successful development of our expanded
portfolio, oral T121 and IV neridronate, Grünenthal seeks to offer
CRPS patients new hope for the future. Our teams are highly motivated
and will use all of their knowledge, experience and resources to
bring these promising treatments to market for patients as soon as
possible."

"We are very proud of what our team of employees, advisors,
partners and investors has accomplished in driving our T121 lead
product from an idea to the initiation of Phase 3 development for the
treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome," stated the former Thar
Pharmaceuticals board chairman, Dr. Lalit Chordia. Raymond K. Houck,
former President and Chief Executive Officer of Thar Pharmaceuticals,
added, "We believe Grünenthal is an exceptional strategic fit for
Thar's T121. Grünenthal combines world-leading knowledge and
expertise in CRPS with the resources, motivation and dedication to
successfully develop and commercialize our potential first-in-class,
non-opioid oral treatment to improve the lives of CRPS patients.
Grünenthal's track record of bringing innovative pain treatments to
patients around the globe underscores that we have chosen the right
partner".

Locust Walk acted as lead financial advisor to Thar on this
transaction. SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. served as co-financial
advisor to Thar, and Goodwin Procter LLP served as its legal advisor.

About CRPS

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating condition
characterized by severe, continuous, burning or throbbing pain often
occurring in an extremity after injury or surgery. The excessive pain
is accompanied by changes in skin colour, temperature and/or
swelling/edema. It is persistent, considered to be one of the most
painful conditions, results in loss of physical function, and can
lead to significant and sometimes permanent disability. There are
currently no FDA- or EMA-approved treatments for CRPS.

About Grünenthal

The Grünenthal Group is an independent, family-owned,
international research-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in
Aachen, Germany. We are an entrepreneurial specialist delivering true
benefits to patients. By sustainably investing in research and
development above the industrial average, we are committing to
innovation in order to treat unmet medical needs and bring
value-adding products to markets. Grünenthal is a fully integrated
research & development company with a long track record of bringing
innovative pain treatments and state-of-the-art technologies to
patients. Altogether, the Grünenthal Group is present in 32 countries
with affiliates in Europe, Latin America and the US. Grünenthal
products are sold in more than 155 countries and approx. 5,400
employees are working for the Grünenthal Group worldwide. In 2015,
Grünenthal achieved revenues of EUR 1.2 bn. More information:
www.grunenthal.com.

1 Wang et al, Anesth Analg. 2016 Oct;123(4):1033-45
2 Zaspel, J. et.al., abstr. 93rd Meeting of Ger. Soc. Orthoped., Oct
24-27, 2007, Berlin

Contact:
Steffen Fritzsche, Head Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 241 569-1335, Fax.: +49 241 569-51335,
steffen.fritzsche@grunenthal.com

Grünenthal GmbH,
52099 Aachen, Germany,
www.grunenthal.com

Original-Content von: Gr?nenthal Group, übermittelt durch news aktuell