George Medicines Partners With Arrotex To Commercialize GMRx2 Hypertension Therapy In Australia And New Zealand

George Medicines, a late-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to addressing significant unmet needs in cardiometabolic disease, has entered into an exclusive licensing and supply agreement with Arrotex Pharmaceuticals, a leading Australian pharmaceutical company and the country’s largest supplier of medicines by prescription volume. Under the agreement, Arrotex will have exclusive rights to seek regulatory approval for and commercialize GMRx2 in Australia.

GMRx2 is an innovative single-pill combination therapy containing telmisartan, amlodipine, and indapamide for the treatment of hypertension. The therapy is developed in three doses, including two lower-dose options not currently available in other single-pill combinations. By combining multiple mechanisms of action at lower doses, GMRx2 is designed to deliver the blood pressure-lowering benefits of triple combination therapy early in the treatment pathway while maintaining the established safety profiles of the component medicines.

Under the licensing agreement, George Medicines will receive an upfront licensing fee and is eligible for milestone payments, as well as future royalties on sales of GMRx2 in the licensed territory. Arrotex will be responsible for regulatory approval, supported by George Medicines, including upcoming submissions to Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration and the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority.

Mark Mallon, Chief Executive Officer of George Medicines, said that the partnership represents a significant step in the company’s global commercialization strategy for GMRx2. He highlighted the importance of bringing the therapy to Australia, the founding country of The George Institute for Global Health, the organization that established George Medicines. Mallon emphasized that Arrotex’s commercial capabilities make it an ideal partner to help deliver GMRx2 to patients and address key challenges in current hypertension treatment approaches.

Monique Jonson, General Manager of Innovation at Arrotex Pharmaceuticals, stated that the partnership reflects Arrotex’s commitment to providing innovative therapies to patients in Australia and New Zealand. She noted that the company is well-positioned to facilitate access to GMRx2 and looks forward to collaborating with George Medicines on regulatory submissions.

Hypertension affects roughly one in three adults in Australia, about 6.8 million people, with only half aware of their condition and receiving treatment. Among those treated, more than one million do not have their blood pressure effectively controlled. In New Zealand, 31% of adults live with hypertension, and only about a quarter have the condition under control. Most patients require two or more medications to achieve optimal blood pressure, and global treatment guidelines recommend single-pill combination therapy and the early use of multi-drug regimens.

George Medicines has already established licensing and supply agreements for GMRx2 in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Central America, and the United States, with additional collaborations anticipated as part of the company’s commitment to making the therapy accessible to patients worldwide.

George Medicines is an independent spin-out from The George Institute for Global Health, one of the world’s leading medical research institutes focused on reducing global health inequities. The company is supported by George Health, the Institute’s commercial arm, and Brandon Capital, Australia’s leading life sciences venture capital firm.