Ulipristal acetate is an orally active selective progesterone receptor modulator that reversibly blocks the progesterone receptors in targeted tissues.
HRA Pharma has been developing ulipristal acetate for a variety of reproductive health applications over the past decade and recently brought it through to approval for use as an emergency contraceptive by the European Medicines Agency (ellaOne) and the US Food and Drug Administration (ella).
At the exclusion of Europe, the U.S., Canada and now South Korea, worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of ulipristal acetate for benign gynecological disorders have been retained by HRA Pharma.
Shin Poong Pharmaceutical and HRA Pharma said the completed Phase III clinical trials performed in Europe have shown that the compound has therapeutic potential for the treatment of uterine fibroids.
Shin Poong Pharma CEO Won-June Chang said they are delighted to enter a licensing agreement with HRA Pharma and foresee substantial market potential for ulipristal acetate in South Korea.
"We believe Ulipristal acetate has a potential to fulfill unmet needs for safer and more effective treatment option for uterine fibroids," Chang said.