05:31 AM EST, 11/19/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Cytokinetics ( CYTK ) and Bayer said Tuesday they have agreed to a collaboration and license deal for the development and commercialization of the investigational drug aficamten in Japan for the treatment of patients with obstructive and non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cytokinetics ( CYTK ) will receive an upfront payment of 50 million euros ($52.7 million) and is eligible to receive up to 90 million euros in milestone payments through commercial launch.

Cytokinetics ( CYTK ) is also eligible to receive up to 490 million euros in commercial payments based on future sales of aficamten in Japan.

Bayer will also conduct a phase 3 clinical trial of the drug in Japan while Cytokinetics ( CYTK ) will expand an ongoing phase 3 clinical trial into Japan to support the potential marketing authorization.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, limiting the heart's pumping function and resulting in reduced physical capacity.