Biohaven Gets Pfizer’s Help To Make Nurtec An Ex-US Success Story Too

Pfizer Inc. joined the migraine market competition on 9 November via a deal bringing it ex-US commercial rights to Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd.’s Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) as well as a follow-on oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitor for $500m up front. With significant earnout potential, the agreement strengthens Biohaven financially, removes its financial risk for commercializing Nurtec overseas and gives it a commercial partner with broad access and experience outside the US.

Pfizer, meanwhile, is betting on a drug that in roughly 18 months has established a majority market share among oral CGRP inhibitors for migraine. (Also see "Biohaven’s Q3 Nurtec...