EISAI ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO FOUR ONCOLOGY PRODUCTS

Japanese drugmaker Eisai has signed a $205 million product acquisition agreement with Ligand Pharmaceuticals in which Eisai obtained exclusive global rights for ONTAK (denileukin diftitox), Targretin (bexarotene) capsules, Targretin (bexarotene) gel 1 percent and Panretin (alitretinoin) gel 0.1 percent.

In addition, Eisai will offer certain Ligand personnel employment. Eisai already employs more than 9,000 people worldwide.

The acquisition of these four products will help serve to establish Eisai's global oncology business. Oncology is one of Eisai's long-standing therapeutic areas of focus, as evidenced by its research and development, marketing and sales force preparations and business development activities, according to the company.

The transaction is subject to government approvals and is expected to close before the end of the year.