The agreement grants SK Biopharmaceuticals exclusive global development and commercialization rights to opakalim, a selective Kv7 potassium channel activator. The transaction includes an initial $400 million cash payment, followed by $395 million in potential development and regulatory milestones. With the candidate currently in Phase 2/3 clinical trials, the company projects a potential U.S. launch as early as 2029.
SK Biopharmaceuticals Secures Rights to Epilepsy Drug Opakalim
SK Biopharmaceuticals has agreed to in-license the experimental epilepsy drug opakalim from Biohaven in a deal worth up to $795 million. The move marks a strategic shift for the South Korean firm, aiming to transition from a single-product company to a multi-drug developer with a direct commercial presence in the U.S.
SK Biopharmaceuticals plans to leverage its existing U.S. commercial infrastructure, built around its flagship anti-seizure medication XCOPRI, to market the new treatment. By integrating opakalim into its neurology portfolio, the company intends to address unmet needs in epilepsy care while moving beyond its current status as a one-product commercial entity. Biohaven’s CEO, Vlad Coric, noted that the candidate is designed to provide high efficacy with a reduced risk of side effects like sedation and dizziness, which are common in existing therapies.
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