Melbourne - Starpharma (ASX: SPL, OTCQX: SPHRY) today announced that following the successful launch of the VivaGel antiviral condom by Okamoto Industries, Inc. (TYO: 5122: JP; Okamoto) in Japan, Okamoto has sought an expansion to its licence territory for the VivaGel condom.
As a result, Starpharma has granted Okamoto marketing rights to a further 11 countries in Asia which include South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the non-government[1] China market.
Okamoto holds strong condom market positions in the region, with a number 1 or 2 ranking in several of the relevant Asian countries. Okamoto has revenue of approximately US$1 billion with more than 2,600 employees and is Japan's leading marketer of condoms.
Under this licence Starpharma will be eligible to receive royalties on sales of the VivaGel condom and will also receive revenue on supply of SPL7013 active. Okamoto will be responsible for regulatory submissions, marketing and other related costs. The license also incorporates development and launch obligations for Okamoto.
Commenting on the expanded licence, Starpharma CEO Dr Jackie Fairley said: 'Following the Japanese launch of VivaGel antiviral condom under Okamoto's highly successful Zero Zero Three (003) brand, we are pleased that Okamoto has sought an expansion of its licence to a further 11 countries in Asia. Okamoto has an outstanding product portfolio and leading market positions in a number of these countries across the Asian region. We're excited to continue building our relationship with Okamoto and bringing this highly innovative product to additional Asian markets as soon as possible.'
Okamoto's senior managing director, Mr. Kunihiko Okamoto said, 'We are pleased with the launch of the VivaGel Zero Zero Three (003) condom in Japan and are excited to be expanding our licence for this innovative product into these other important Asian markets. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Starpharma for this innovative product.'
LifeStyles has marketing rights to the VivaGel condom in a number of markets, including Europe, Australia and Canada under LifeStyles Dual Protect brand in Australia and Canada, and Absolute DUAL PROTECTION brand in Europe.
About the VivaGel antiviral condom
The VivaGel antiviral condom is a world-first product based on innovative Australian technology. It is the only condom of its type, providing barrier protection and incorporating the proprietary compound, astodrimer sodium (SPL7013, VivaGel) in the condom lubricant. SPL7013 has been proven in laboratory studies to inactivate up to 99.9% of HIV, HSV and HPV. The product has received regulatory approval in Japan, Europe, Canada and Australia.
About Starpharma
Starpharma Holdings Limited (ASX: SPL, OTCQX:SPHRY), located in Melbourne Australia, is an ASX 300 company and is a world leader in the development of dendrimer products for pharmaceutical, life science and other applications. Starpharma's underlying technology is built around dendrimers - a type of synthetic nanoscale polymer that is highly regular in size and structure and well suited to pharmaceutical and medical uses. Starpharma has two core development programs: VivaGel portfolio and DEP drug delivery with the Company developing several products internally and others via commercial partnerships.
VivaGel: Starpharma's women's health product - VivaGel BV is based on SPL7013, astodrimer sodium, a proprietary dendrimer. VivaGel BV for bacterial vaginosis (BV), is available for sale under the brand names Betafem BV Gel (UK), Betadine BVTM (Europe), BetadineTM BV Gel (Asia) and Fleurstat BVgel (Australia) and a new drug application has been submitted to the US FDA. Starpharma has licensed the sales and marketing of VivaGel BV to ITF Pharma for the US; Mundipharma for Europe, Russia, CIS, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America and to Aspen Pharmacare for Australia and New Zealand. Starpharma also has licence agreements to market the VivaGel condom (an antiviral condom which includes VivaGel in the lubricant) in several regions, including Australia, Europe, Canada, China and Japan (Okamoto). The VivaGel condom has been launched in Japan under Okamoto's 003 brand, and in Australia and Canada under the LifeStyles Dual Protect brand. The VivaGel condom is approved in Europe.
DEP - Dendrimer Enhanced Product: Starpharma's DEP drug delivery platform has demonstrated reproducible preclinical benefits across multiple internal and partnered DEP programs, including improved efficacy, safety and survival. Starpharma has three internal DEP products - DEP docetaxel, DEP cabazitaxel and DEP irinotecan - in clinical development in patients with solid tumours. Starpharma's partnered DEP programs include a multiproduct DEP licence with AstraZeneca, which involves the development and commercialisation of two novel oncology compounds, with potential to add more. In June 2019 Starpharma signed a Development and Option agreement with AstraZeneca for a DEP version of one of AstraZeneca's major marketed oncology medicines.
Contact:
Arthur Chan
Tel: +61 2 9237 2805
Email: arthurc@we-worldwide.com
Forward Looking Statements
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STARPHARMA HOLDINGS LIMITED 
