Eton Pharmaceuticals Advances Its Commitment to Rare Disease with the Acquisition of Galzin®

Rhea-AI Summary

Eton Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ETON) has announced the acquisition of Galzin® (zinc acetate), an FDA-approved maintenance treatment for Wilson Disease. The drug serves an ultra-rare patient population with less than 5,000 patients currently being treated in the United States.

The company plans to begin commercialization in the U.S. during Q1 2025 through its metabolic sales force. Patients will have access to the Eton Cares support program, offering $0 co-pay for qualified commercial patients, prescription fulfillment, insurance benefits investigation, and educational support.

The acquisition also includes European rights to the product, where it's marketed as Wilzin® through a third-party distributor. Eton will continue supplying the product while the third party manages European commercialization. Stifel acted as exclusive financial advisor for the transaction.

Positive

• Acquisition expands rare disease portfolio with FDA-approved treatment
• Access to market of ~5,000 Wilson Disease patients in the US
• European market access through existing distribution agreement
• Revenue potential through comprehensive patient support program with $0 copay

Negative

• Product requires careful monitoring due to potential copper deficiency risks
• Post-marketing reports indicate risk of gastric ulcers with long-term use
• patient population may restrict revenue potential

Insights

Financial Analyst

This acquisition of Galzin® represents a strategic expansion in the lucrative rare disease market. The ultra-rare Wilson Disease affects <5,000 patients in the US, but rare disease medications typically command premium pricing due to competition and high unmet medical needs. The deal includes both US commercialization rights and European revenue streams through third-party distribution of Wilzin®, creating multiple revenue channels. The Eton Cares patient support program, offering <money>$0</money> copay assistance, should drive patient adoption and retention. While specific financial terms aren't disclosed, rare disease assets typically generate high margins and steady cash flows due to chronic usage patterns and competition. The Q1 2025 commercialization timeline suggests near-term revenue impact.

Medical Research Analyst

Galzin® (zinc acetate) fills a critical maintenance therapy role in Wilson Disease treatment, a genetic disorder causing dangerous copper accumulation. The acquisition strengthens Eton's rare disease portfolio with a well-established FDA-approved treatment. The safety profile is manageable, with main risks being copper deficiency and gastric effects that can be monitored. The product's mechanism of action - increasing metallothionein to block copper uptake - is scientifically sound, though it's specifically positioned for maintenance rather than initial therapy. The dedicated metabolic sales force and comprehensive patient support program should help optimize treatment adherence, which is important for maintaining stable copper levels. This represents a high-value addition to Eton's rare disease franchise.

Market Research Analyst

This acquisition positions Eton strategically in the orphan drug space, where pricing power and market exclusivity create attractive business dynamics. The <5,000 US patient population represents a focused but valuable market opportunity. The European rights add geographic diversification through the existing Wilzin® partnership. The timing aligns with growing investor interest in rare disease assets, which typically enjoy strong pricing power and regulatory support. The comprehensive patient support program addresses access barriers common in rare diseases. Stifel's involvement as financial advisor suggests a well-structured deal. For a company with a <money>$366.8M</money> market cap, this type of strategic acquisition can meaningfully impact growth trajectory.

• Adds an additional commercial and strategic rare disease product to Eton’s portfolio
• Galzin is FDA-approved for the treatment of the ultra-rare metabolic condition of Wilson Disease

DEER PARK, Ill., Jan. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc (“Eton” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ETON), an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for rare diseases, today announced that it has acquired Galzin^® (zinc acetate).

“This acquisition furthers our mission of supporting life-saving treatments for conditions impacting ultra rare patient populations. Galzin is a critical medication for patients with Wilson Disease, and we look forward to supporting these patients with our comprehensive Eton Cares patient support program,” said Sean Brynjelsen, CEO of Eton Pharmaceuticals.

Galzin is FDA-approved as a maintenance treatment of patients with Wilson Disease who have been initially treated with a chelating agent. It is estimated that less than 5,000 patients in the United States are currently being treated for Wilson Disease.

Eton expects to assume the commercialization of the product in the United States in the first quarter of 2025 with its metabolic sales force supporting healthcare professionals who treat Wilson Disease. Once available, Eton plans to offer the product through its Eton Cares patient support program that provides high-touch, personalized service tailored for rare disease patients and their providers. The program will offer a $0 co-pay for all qualified commercial patients, provide prescription fulfillment, insurance benefits investigation, educational support, and other services designed to help patients access treatment.

As part of the transaction, Eton has also acquired European rights to the product, where it is commercialized under the tradename Wilzin^® by a third party. Under an existing distribution agreement, Eton will continue to supply the product to the third party and the third party is responsible for all commercialization activities in Europe.

Stifel served as exclusive financial advisor to Eton on the transaction.

INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION  

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION  

INDICATION  

Zinc acetate therapy is indicated for maintenance treatment of patients with Wilson’s disease who have been initially treated with a chelating agent  

Warning and Precautions  

• Copper Deficiency: Several post-marketing cases reported that zinc acetate taken over extended periods of time (i.e., months to years) may result in decreased enteral copper absorption and copper deficiency. The cases reported the following complications of copper deficiency: anemia, granulocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and myeloneuropathy.
  
  If a patient develops signs and/or symptoms of copper deficiency during treatment with zinc acetate, interrupt zinc treatment and measure zinc, 24-hr urinary copper, and non-ceruloplasmin bound copper (NCC) levels. Consider restarting zinc acetate treatment based on periodic monitoring of 24-hr urinary copper and NCC levels.  

• Gastric Ulcer: There have been postmarketing reports of gastric ulcers with long-term use of zinc acetate. The cases reported the complications of anemia and gastric ulcer perforation with peritonitis. In some cases, ulcers persisted after treatment until zinc acetate was discontinued.
  
  If a patient develops signs and/or symptoms of gastric ulcer during treatment with zinc acetate, discontinue zinc treatment. Most patients showed improvement after cessation of zinc treatment.  

• General: Zinc acetate is not recommended for the initial therapy of symptomatic patients because of the delay required for zinc-induced increase in enterocytic metallothionein and blockade of copper uptake. Symptomatic patients should be treated initially, using chelating agents. During initial therapy, neurological deterioration may occur as stores of copper are mobilized. Once initial therapy has been completed, and the patient is clinically stable, maintenance treatment with zinc acetate can be considered, but patients may be continued on initial therapy as clinically indicated. 
• Information for Patients: Patients should take GALZIN^® on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two to three hours after meals. Capsules should be swallowed whole, not opened or chewed. In the rare event of gastric intolerance of zinc, generally occurring with the morning dose, this dose may be taken between breakfast and lunch. Patients must be clinically monitored to determine the adequacy of zinc acetate therapy. Since strict adherence to the zinc regimen is essential for optimal control of copper distribution and metabolism, the physician must reinforce the need for compliance at each contact with the patient.  
• Monitoring Patients: Patients should be monitored primarily by assessment of existing signs and symptoms of Wilson’s disease and 24-hour urine copper. Neuropsychiatric evaluations including speech as well as liver function tests including bilirubin and aminotransferases, should be done as appropriate. 
  

Adverse Reactions  

The following adverse reactions associated with the use of zinc acetate were identified from postmarketing reports. Because these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.  

Gastrointestinal disorders: gastric irritation 

Investigations: elevations of serum alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and lipase lasting from weeks to months suggesting pancreatitis; the levels usually return to high normal within the first one or two years of zinc therapy.  

Please see Full Prescribing Information for more information.   

About Eton Pharmaceuticals

Eton is an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for rare diseases. The Company currently has six commercial rare disease products: INCRELEX®, ALKINDI SPRINKLE®, PKU GOLIKE®, Carglumic Acid, Betaine Anhydrous, and Nitisinone. The Company has four additional product candidates in late-stage development: ET-400, ET-600, Amglidia®, and ZENEO® hydrocortisone autoinjector. For more information, please visit our website at www.etonpharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements associated with the expected ability of Eton to undertake certain activities and accomplish certain goals and objectives. These statements include but are not limited to statements regarding Eton’s business strategy, Eton’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, the safety and efficacy of Eton’s product candidates, Eton’s plans and expected timing with respect to regulatory filings and approvals, and the size and growth potential of the markets for Eton’s product candidates. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “goal,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Eton’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks associated with the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such drugs. These and other risks concerning Eton’s development programs and financial position are described in additional detail in Eton’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Eton undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Investor Relations:
Lisa M. Wilson, In-Site Communications, Inc.
T: 212-452-2793
E: lwilson@insitecony.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of Eton Pharmaceuticals' acquisition of Galzin?

Eton acquired Galzin to expand its rare disease portfolio, specifically targeting Wilson Disease treatment, with commercialization planned for Q1 2025.

How many patients will ETON's Galzin potentially serve in the US market?

Less than 5,000 patients in the United States are currently being treated for Wilson Disease, representing Galzin's potential market.

What benefits does ETON's patient support program offer for Galzin users?

The Eton Cares program offers $0 co-pay for qualified commercial patients, prescription fulfillment, insurance benefits investigation, and educational support.

What are the major safety concerns associated with ETON's Galzin treatment?

Key safety concerns include potential copper deficiency with extended use and risk of gastric ulcers, requiring careful monitoring during treatment.

How will ETON handle Galzin's European distribution?

Eton will supply the product (marketed as Wilzin) to a third-party distributor who manages all European commercialization activities.