Astellas to Assume Full Commercial Responsibility for VESIcare
Tokyo – February 16, 2011 – Astellas Pharma Inc.
(TSE:4503,”Astellas”) announced today that its
affiliate, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.(“Astellas Pharma
US”) exercised its right under its agreement with
co-promotion partner GlaxoSmithKline to assume full commercial
responsibility in the US for VESIcare® (solifenacin succinate),
a treatment for overactive bladder. After a transition period,
which is expected to conclude no later than January, 2012,
GlaxoSmithKline sales representatives will no longer co-promote
VESIcare and all such promotional activities will be undertaken by
Astellas Pharma US.
Astellas Pharma US (Former Yamanouchi Pharma America, Inc.) and
GlaxoSmithKline entered into the VESIcare co-promotion agreement in
August, 2003. VESIcare was launched in January 2005 and both
companies have been co-promoting VESIcare in the U.S. market,
resulting in the steady growth of VESIcare sales.
As consideration for its assumption of full commercial
responsibility, Astellas will make certain payments to
GlaxoSmithKline until 2015, when the original agreement was set to
expire.
GlaxoSmithKline has been an instrumental partner for Astellas in
this successful co-promotion since the company first introduced
VESIcare into the marketplace. Astellas Pharma US will work with
GlaxoSmithKline over the coming months to ensure a smooth and
transparent transition.
Posted: February 2011
