Qutenza

Acorda Therapeutics Inc. has acquired two assets from NeurogesX Inc. The company paid $8 million to acquire development and commercialization rights for Qutenza® and NP-1998 in the US, Canada, and Latin America.

Qutenza is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the management of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia. The company also acquired NP-1998, a Phase 3 ready, prescription strength capsaicin topical solution, which is being assessed for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

“The acquisition of Qutenza and NP-1998 enables us to expand into the area of neuropathic pain management,” said Ron Cohen, M.D., Acorda’s president and CEO.

Acorda also will make up to $5 million in payments contingent upon the achievement of certain regulatory and sales milestones related to NP-1998.

Postherpetic neuralgia, or post-shingles nerve pain, is chronic pain resulting from shingles.