Pharmanovia Enters Into an Exclusive Licensing Agreement With Aeterna Zentaris for the First and Only Orally Administered Approved Medicine for the Diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults
16.3.2023 15:50:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
Pharmanovia, a global pharmaceutical company that commercialises novel medicines and revitalises, extends and expands the lifecycle of established medicines, has today announced the expansion of its endocrinology portfolio with a new licensing agreement for GHRYVELIN™ (macimorelin), a novel medicine used for diagnosing Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD) from Aeterna Zentaris.
The agreement gives Pharmanovia the exclusive commercial rights in the UK and EEA.
AGHD is a rare and serious condition that affects 2 to 3 people in 10,000 with significant risk of morbidity and reduced quality of life. It is underdiagnosed and often missed in patients.1
It is characterised by a number of variable and common symptoms including reduced energy levels, altered body composition, osteoporosis (reduced bone mineral density), reduced muscle strength, lipid abnormalities such as increased LDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, and impaired cardiac function.2
Pharmanovia CEO, Dr James Burt commented; ‘’Endocrinology is the largest of our four core therapy areas and the in-licensing of this important novel medicine, the second in-licensing deal of a novel medicine in almost as many weeks, speaks to our ability to in-licence novel, complementary products in the therapeutic settings we support.”
“We are well placed to use the knowledge and the platform we’ve built through our current endocrinology work to ensure that more patients get the diagnosis they need for this rare and serious condition. Furthermore today’s announcement presents a rare opportunity to license in a medicine that naturally synergises with one of the core growth products in our current portfolio.”
Dr Klaus Paulini, CEO of Aeterna Zentaris, added: “Pharmanovia has expertise marketing diagnostic testing solutions combined with an established footprint in endocrinology across Europe, so this partnership was a natural choice. We’re excited to leverage their knowledge to ensure that more patients benefit from an improved testing experience and reduction in unnecessary treatment for patients.”
About Pharmanovia
Pharmanovia is a global lifecycle management healthcare company. Our purpose is to make medicines fit for tomorrow, to improve the lives of patients globally.
We do this by enhancing established medicines either by rediscovering, repurposing or re-engineering iconic brands to improve patient outcomes and experiences both through in-house development and through strategic partnerships.
Our diverse and growing team operate in over 160 countries across the globe, delivering high-quality solutions, ethically and sustainably, across our four core therapeutic areas – Endocrinology, Neurology, Cardiovascular and Oncology.
About Aeterna Zentaris
Aeterna Zentaris is a specialty biopharmaceutical company developing and commercialising a diversified portfolio of pharmaceutical and diagnostic products focused on areas of significant unmet medical need. The Company's lead product, macimorelin (Macrilen™; Ghryvelin®), is the first and only U.S. FDA and European Commission approved oral test indicated for the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD). The Company is leveraging the clinical success and compelling safety profile of macimorelin to develop it for the diagnosis of childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency (CGHD), an area of significant unmet need, in collaboration with Novo Nordisk.
About Macimorelin
Macimorelin is marketed under the brand name GHRYVELIN™ (macimorelin) in the UK and European Economic Area.
GHRYVELIN™ a ghrelin agonist, is an orally active small molecule that stimulates the secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland. Stimulated growth hormone levels are measured in blood samples after oral administration of GHRYVELIN™ for the assessment of AGHD. of GHRYVELIN™ was granted in 2019, based on Phase III data showing that oral macimorelin provides accuracy comparable to that of standard insulin tolerance testing (ITT)4, but has a more favourable safety profile compared to ITT. Oral GHRYVELIN™ also reduces false positive test results, helping to avoid unnecessary treatment of patients.3
References
1 J Endocr Soc. 2022 Jul 1; 6(7): bvac077. Andrew R Hoffman, Tracy Mathison, Deno Andrews, Kristine Murray, Nicky Kelepouris, and Maria Fleseriu - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9165431/ -last accessed 1.3.2023
2 Yuen KCJ, Biller BMK, Radovick S, et al -. Endocr Pract. 2019;25(11):1191-1232. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31760824/ - last accessed 1.3.2023
3 Garcia JM et al. Macimorelin as a Diagnostic Test for Adult GH Deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2018, 103(8): 3083-3093 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29860473/ - last accessed 1.3.2023
4 https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/assessment-report/ghryvelin-previously-macimorelin-aeterna-zentaris-epar-public-assessment-report_en.pdf – last accessed 1.3.2023
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230315005846/en/
Contact information
For further information:
Alison Dyson, Director of Communications, Pharmanovia
07442 256310/ alison.dyson@pharmanovia.com
Or pharmanovia@67health.co.uk
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
AOP Health on Rare Diseases: Information. Collaboration. Innovation.23.2.2026 11:00:00 EET | Press release
Between 27 and 36 million1 people in Europe are living with a rare disease, yet only around six percent currently have access to an approved treatment2. Progress in diagnosis and treatment is often slowed by knowledge gaps, including the lack of clear, reliable, and patient-friendly information needed to support informed decision-making. Drawing on 30 years of experience in researching and developing therapies for rare diseases, AOP Health underscores the importance of collaboration across the healthcare community. On Rare Disease Day 2026, the company joins healthcare professionals, researchers and patient representatives in highlighting the need for closer cooperation to generate, share and better use scarce data to improve care for people living with rare diseases. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260223167500/en/ Rare Diseases: Collaboration is key. image: AdobeStock_1308212316 “Working in rare diseases sin
ŌURA Named Official Wearable of Team Finland23.2.2026 10:00:00 EET | Press release
ŌURA, maker of the world’s leading smart ring, Oura Ring, today announced a long-term partnership as the Official Wearable of Team Finland. As the exclusive provider in the category of continuous health and fitness tracking devices, ŌURA will equip Team Finland Olympic athletes with Oura Ring beginning immediately and continuing through the LA28 Olympic Games and the French Alps 2030 Winter Games. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260223559508/en/ Team Finland delivered a strong showing on the world stage at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, capturing a total of six Olympic medals across a range of winter sports. During the Games, many Finnish athletes wore Oura Ring to help manage their performance and recovery. The partnership marks the start of a multi-year collaboration focused on supporting athlete preparation, recovery, and overall wellbeing across two Olympic cycles. “At ŌURA, we believe susta
AHS Tower Fully Sold During Development, Generating More Than USD 700 Million23.2.2026 09:55:00 EET | Press release
AHS Properties has confirmed that 100 percent of inventory at AHS Tower has been sold, generating more than USD 700 million in revenue during the development phase, a clear indicator of strong market demand for its flagship commercial project. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260222540070/en/ AHS Tower Fully Sold During Development on Sheikh Zayed Road (Photo: AETOSWire) Rising 69 storeys above Sheikh Zayed Road, the tower is positioned within minutes of DIFC and the Museum of the Future. Designed by internationally acclaimed architecture firm Killa Design, with interiors by AHS Atelier, it represents a defining step in AHS Properties’ expansion from ultra-luxury residential developments into Grade A commercial real estate. This demand comes amid a year of exceptional business growth in the UAE, with more than 250,000 new companies established in 2025, bringing the total number of operating companies to 1.4 mil
AGCO Power’s Core80 Engine Named Diesel Engine of the Year 202623.2.2026 09:00:00 EET | Press release
Developed and manufactured in Linnavuori, Finland, the engine represents the most advanced technology in AGCO Power’s new Core engine family. The award is among the most respected in the industry and has been recognizing groundbreaking off‑highway powertrain innovations for 20 years. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260222724310/en/ Powertrain International Editor-in-Chief Fabio Butturi (left) presents the Diesel Engine of the Year 2026 award to AGCO Power Vice President Juha Tervala. Next to them, AGCO Power Project Manager for Engineering Juha-Pekka Asikainen applauds. In the background: the CORE80 engine. According to Powertrain International Editor‑in‑Chief Fabio Butturi, the decision was straightforward: “Core80 represents exactly the kind of technical courage and innovation we want to highlight. The award truly belongs to the entire Core engine family, which opens a new era for AGCO Power across tractors
SOLUM Brings Retail in Sync to EuroShop 2026 with Integrated Retail Innovations23.2.2026 09:00:00 EET | Press release
SOLUM (KOSPI: 248070) brings ‘Retail in Sync’ to EuroShop 2026, unveiling new retail display innovations and integrated solutions that connect technology, operations and data to create more agile and scalable retail environments. By connecting pricing, communication and store operations within a unified framework, SOLUM aims to help European retailers improve efficiency, create new value and advance sustainability initiatives. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260222220569/en/ At EuroShop, SOLUM will present practical applications that combine connected display technologies with data and analytics in real store environments. (Image: SOLUM) At EuroShop, SOLUM will present practical applications that combine connected display technologies with data and analytics in real store environments. Vision AI will demonstrate personalized product recommendations linked to electronic shelf labels (ESL), while Bluetooth Low E
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom