Astellas
In October 2003, Cardiome granted Astellas Pharma US, Inc. (formerly Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc.) an exclusive license to develop and commercialize the intravenous formulation of vernakalant in North America. The companies have co-developed vernakalant (iv) to NDA, with Astellas responsible for 75% of development costs. Cardiome has retained all rights to the intravenous formulations outside of Canada, U.S. and Mexico, and has also retained worldwide rights to oral vernakalant for the prevention of atrial fibrillation.
* Note: In September 2006, Cardiome announced that RSD1235 has been assigned the name "vernakalant hydrochloride" by the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council. References to RSD1235 (iv) are now vernakalant (iv), and references to RSD1235 (oral) are now vernakalant (oral).