Santhera Closes USD 13 Million Royalty Monetization Agreement

Santhera Pharmaceuticals, based in Pratteln, Switzerland, recently finalized a USD 13 million royalty monetization agreement aimed at bolstering the global launch of its innovative drug AGAMREE® (vamorolone). Originally announced in September 2025, this agreement allows Santhera to secure vital growth capital as it ventures into international markets. By partnering with R-Bridge, an affiliate of CBC Group, Santhera will receive 25% of net royalties from AGAMREE distributed by Catalyst Pharmaceuticals in North America and Sperogenix Therapeutics in China.

Significantly, Partners Group, a major player in private market investments, has also joined the financing arrangement, contributing a substantial portion to the total funding. Importantly, the payments to Partners Group and R-Bridge are capped, meaning that beyond a certain threshold, royalties from North America and China will revert entirely to Santhera, which will also retain buy-back rights over the royalty stream. Moreover, an earlier agreement with R-Bridge entitles them to 75% of the net royalties from both Catalyst and Sperogenix.

CEO Dario Eklund expressed enthusiasm about the closing of this agreement, underscoring its importance for Santhera’s strategic initiatives and the worldwide rollout of AGAMREE. The drug, a novel dissociative steroid, has been developed primarily for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and has received approval from various regulatory bodies, including the FDA in the U.S. and the European Commission.

Overall, this financial strategy positions Santhera favorably in the competitive biopharmaceutical landscape while aiming to fulfill unmet medical needs for rare neuromuscular diseases. For more details, visit www.santhera.com.

Santhera Pharmaceuticals’ recent closure of a USD 13 million royalty monetization agreement represents a strategic move that will bolster its financial position as it expands the global reach of AGAMREE® (vamorolone), a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This agreement, secured largely through an investment from Partners Group, not only highlights the confidence of institutional investors in Santhera’s prospects but also signals a commitment to innovative therapies in a niche market characterized by high unmet needs.

The royalty monetization arrangement allows Santhera to access immediate capital while sharing future royalty revenues from North American and Chinese markets with partners R-Bridge and Partners Group. Importantly, this move provides Santhera with the necessary funds to execute its rollout strategy for AGAMREE®, which is essential now that the drug has received regulatory approvals across major markets, including the U.S. and EU.

Investors should carefully consider the implications of this agreement, especially the capped payments to partners, which ensure that a significant portion of future royalty revenues ultimately returns to Santhera. Notably, Santhera’s retention of buy-back rights over the royalty stream showcases its intent to maximize long-term profitability once the fixed obligations have been met.

For current and potential investors, this development is encouraging, as it positions Santhera to leverage the growing demand for innovative therapies for rare diseases. With a robust pipeline and now enhanced liquidity, Santhera appears well-equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the pharmaceutical landscape.

However, market participants should remain cautious given the inherent risks associated with the biotech sector, including regulatory hurdles and competition. Overall, the recent agreement enhances Santhera’s financial foundation, indicating a promising trajectory for growth in the emerging biopharmaceutical sector.