
TOKYO -- Eisai said Thursday it has agreed to collaborate with U.S. counterpart Merck on development and marketing of the Japanese pharmaceutical company's cancer drug Lenvima, a deal that also brings a timely infusion of cash.
The Japanese drugmaker thinks it can use Merck's global marketing muscle to develop Lenvima into a billion-dollar blockbuster. "We expect to attain triple the sales we could manage alone," CEO Haruo Naito said at a news conference here covering the announcement.