Grünenthal and Apotex Inc. have announced a new licensing agreement that will grant Apotex the exclusive Canadian rights to Nebido®, a long-acting injectable therapy for the treatment of male hypogonadism. The agreement was announced on Thursday 5 February, 2026.
Under the terms of the agreement, Searchlight Pharma, Apotex’s branded medicine division, will pursue marketing authorization and will handle the distribution of Nebido® in Canada upon receiving regulatory approval. Grünenthal will receive an upfront payment, regulatory milestone payments, and a margin on sales.
This collaboration strengthens the existing partnership between Grünenthal and Apotex and highlights their shared commitment to providing Canadians with access to important therapies.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Apotex and increase the global presence of Nebido®,” said Jan Adams, Chief Commercial Officer at Grünenthal. “Through this agreement, we are able to offer a well-established brand that can benefit countless people living with testosterone deficiency in Canada.”
Mark Nawacki, President of Searchlight Pharma, stated, “This marks a significant step in Apotex’s mission to improve access to innovative medicines and fulfill our purpose as a Force for Health. Nebido® addresses a recognized need in men’s health and serves as our first foray into testosterone therapy, opening up a new therapeutic area for Apotex while bolstering our branded portfolio and expanding our presence in specialty care.”
Grünenthal acquired the global rights to Nebido® in 2022 as part of its growth strategy. The company has invested over €2 billion in successful mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions since 2017, diversifying its portfolio, increasing profitability, and driving business growth. Grünenthal continues to expand the reach of these brands and create synergies throughout its infrastructure, including manufacturing, supply, logistics, and commercial activities.
Hypogonadism, also known as testosterone deficiency, is a condition characterized by a reduced or absent secretion of testosterone from the testes. Symptoms include low libido, erectile dysfunction, asthenia, small testes, decreased muscle mass, and sometimes depression. It affects approximately one in six men over the age of 50, but only one in ten receive treatment.
Nebido® is an injectable long-acting depot preparation of testosterone undecanoate and is indicated for testosterone replacement therapy in adult men with confirmed hypogonadism. It is administered directly by a physician every 10-14 weeks.
Apotex is a Canadian-based global health company dedicated to improving access to affordable, innovative medicines and health products for people worldwide. With a broad portfolio of generic, biosimilar, and innovative branded pharmaceuticals and consumer health products, Apotex is the largest Canadian-based pharmaceutical company and a preferred health partner for licensing and product acquisitions in the Americas. Learn more about Apotex at www.apotex.com.
Grünenthal is a global leader in pain management and related diseases. As a science-based, fully integrated pharmaceutical company, they have a long track record of bringing innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies to patients worldwide. Their purpose is to change lives for the better, and innovation is their passion. Grünenthal is headquartered in Aachen, Germany, and has affiliates in 28 countries across Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. Their products are available in approximately 100 countries. In 2024, Grünenthal employed around 4,300 people and achieved revenues of €1.8 billion. Learn more about Grünenthal at www.grunenthal.com and follow them on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Media Contacts:
Apotex Media, media@apotex.com
Grünenthal Maren Thurow, Head of Global Communications, +44 7917 196855, Maren.Thurow@grunenthal.com