Santhera and Uniphar Join Forces to Deliver AGAMREE® Across GCC
Santhera Pharmaceuticals, a Swiss biotech company focused on treatments for rare neuromuscular diseases, has signed an exclusive agreement with Uniphar to distribute its Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) therapy, AGAMREE® (vamorolone), across five Gulf countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.
This strategic partnership is set to begin sales on a named-patient basis in early 2026, with broader commercial availability expected later in the year once regulatory and pricing processes are completed. Under the agreement, Santhera will receive a share of net sales, a structure that aligns with its previous international distribution partnerships.
Improving Patient Access in the Gulf
For families battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy — a rare genetic disorder that progressively weakens muscles, often shortening life expectancy — access to safe and effective treatments is critical. Dario Eklund, CEO of Santhera, highlighted the urgency of bringing AGAMREE® to the Gulf, stressing that the collaboration with Uniphar would ensure patients in the region are not left behind.
Uniphar brings deep knowledge of the Middle Eastern healthcare landscape and a proven track record in managing early-access programs for rare diseases. Brian O’Shaughnessy, Chief Commercial Officer at Uniphar, described the agreement as a “shared commitment to making innovative medicines available to patients who need them most.”
Why AGAMREE® Stands Out
Unlike traditional steroids, AGAMREE® is a novel “dissociative steroid.” It works on the same receptor but reduces many of the harmful side effects associated with long-term steroid use, such as stunted growth and bone weakening.
Clinical data from the pivotal VISION-DMD trial showed that after 24 weeks, patients treated with AGAMREE® experienced significant improvement in their “time to stand” performance compared with placebo. Importantly, side effects were generally mild to moderate and did not compromise growth or bone health. For patients and families, this represents a safer, more sustainable option for long-term care.
Expanding Global Reach
AGAMREE® is already approved for DMD in multiple markets including the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, China, and Hong Kong. Santhera has been expanding its footprint globally through a series of partnerships. These include agreements with Clinigen for named-patient access in countries where AGAMREE® is not yet marketed, GENESIS Pharma for distribution in Central and Eastern Europe, and other regional distributors across Asia and the Middle East.
The partnership with Uniphar is another milestone in this expansion, ensuring that children and young adults with DMD in the Gulf will soon benefit from the therapy.
Why This Matters for the GCC
Rare diseases often face challenges of delayed diagnosis and limited access to innovative therapies in the Gulf region. By partnering with an established distributor like Uniphar, Santhera is bridging a critical gap in rare disease care. For families who have long relied on traditional steroids despite their harsh side effects, AGAMREE® offers a new era of hope — one where treatment is not only effective but also safer for long-term use.
The deal also reflects a wider trend: global pharmaceutical companies are recognizing the Gulf as an important market for advanced therapies, with governments increasingly supportive of early access and innovative treatments. This growing healthcare investment signals that rare disease patients in the GCC will have more options than ever before.
