Pfizer Japan and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company plan to terminate co-promotion of Pfizer’s Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) 5-mg tablets, an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for treating rheumatoid arthritis, in Japan, effective March 31, 2018.

Accordingly, Takeda will cease distribution of Xeljanz, and Pfizer, the manufacturer of the product, will become the sole marketer as of April 1, 2018.

Since its launch in Japan in July 2013, Xeljanz has been co-promoted by Pfizer and Takeda, with Takeda responsible for distribution under a co-promotion agreement between the two companies. Due to changes in the business environment, Pfizer and Takeda have decided to terminate the co-promotion and Takeda’s distribution of the product. The financial terms of this termination were not disclosed.

The two companies will continue to co-promote Amgen’s Enbrel (etanercept), a drug for treating rheumatoid arthritis, with Takeda continuing to distribute it under the co-promotion agreement.

Source: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company