Hyperion buys rights to drug for rare genetic diseases

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Hyperion Therapeutics has purchased rights to a drug for treating genetic metabolic disorders, the company said.



Hyperion announced the purchase of Ravicti (glycerol phenylbutyrate) from Ucyclyd Pharma, a subsidiary of Medicis Pharmaceutical.



The drug is awaiting Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of urea cycle disorders, a class of genetic disorders that affects 1-in-10,000 births and result from deficiency in enzymes involved in the urea cycle, the body's primary means of removing ammonia from the bloodstream. Left untreated, the conditions can result in brain damage, coma and death.



Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hyperion also has the option of buying rights to two other drugs in 2013.

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