Santhera May Market Muscular Dystrophy Drug on its Own in U.S.

Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG may market a drug for a degenerative muscular disease on its own in the U.S. to secure a bigger share of revenue and longer patent protection.

The Swiss drug developer had been seeking a partner to promote Catena, a medicine for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, since May last year. Instead, Santhera may raise capital in the second half of the year to do the work itself in the U.S., Chief Executive Officer Thomas Meier said at a biotech industry meeting in Basel.