Bayer Collaborates with Cytokinetics for Heart Drug Rights

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Bayer (OTC:BAYRY) has struck a collaboration deal with U.S. biotech firm Cytokinetics (NASDAQ:CYTK) to acquire certain rights in Japan to an experimental heart drug, as the German group strengthens its cardiovascular business with smaller deals.

Cytokinetics will receive €50 million ($53 million) upfront, plus up to €90 million contingent on certain development achievements, Bayer said in a statement.

Cytokinetics also stands to receive up to €490 million from Bayer, depending on certain sales milestones.

The deal covers certain uses of drug candidate aficamten in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited condition that limits the heart’s pumping function.

German diversified group Bayer, which is burdened by debt, weak agriculture markets and costly litigation, has faced investor calls to boost its drug development pipeline.

In March, Bayer acquired European commercialization rights for heart drug acoramidis for up to $310 million from a group of companies.

(€1 = $1.0563)