Merck
In April 2009, Cardiome and Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) announced a collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialization of vernakalant. The agreement provides Merck, Sharp and Dohme Corp. (formerly known as Merck & Co., Inc.) with exclusive global rights to vernakalant oral formulation for the maintenance of normal heart rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and provides another Merck affiliate, Merck Sharp & Dohme (Switzerland) GmbH, with exclusive rights outside of the United States, Canada and Mexico to vernakalant IV formulation for rapid conversion of recent onset AF to sinus rhythm in adults.
Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
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.