Novo Nordisk Inc. Announces Exclusive Agreement With Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. to Market Vagifem 10 mcg
PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novo Nordisk
Inc. today announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. to market Vagifem® (estradiol
vaginal tablets) 10 mcg. Under the terms of the agreement,
Upsher-Smith will exclusively market Vagifem® 10 mcg to
physicians in the U.S. beginning August 2 through the company's
existing field sales force.
Novo Nordisk introduced Vagifem® 10 mcg to the U.S. market
earlier this year. The new dose replaces Vagifem® 25 mcg dose,
which was discontinued on July 30, 2010.
"This partnership with Upsher-Smith supports the launch and
conversion of the U.S. market to Vagifem® 10 mcg," said Eddie
Williams, Vice President of Biopharmaceuticals at Novo Nordisk.
"Leveraging Upsher-Smith's experienced sales force, we are able to
maintain our commitment to patient care and the medical community
by making sure that physicians are aware of Vagifem® 10 mcg for
treating menopausal women with symptoms of atrophic
vaginitis."
"The alignment of our two organizations and our products, which
offer low-dose estrogen treatments for menopausal women, make this
a unique partnership opportunity," said Tom Burke, Executive Vice
President, Commercial Operations at Upsher-Smith. "The combined
history of our two companies offers more than two centuries of
experience bringing meaningful pharmaceutical products to the
marketplace."
Financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed. Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about
Vagifem® (an estrogen hormone)?
-- Using estrogen-alone may increase your chance of getting cancer of the
uterus (womb) Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you
are using Vagifem®. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning
sign of cancer of the uterus (womb). Your health care provider should
check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find the cause
-- Do not use estrogen-alone to prevent heart disease, heart attacks,
strokes or dementia (decline of brain function)
-- Using estrogen-alone may increase your chances of getting strokes or
blood clots
-- Using estrogen-alone may increase your chance of getting dementia,
based on a study of women age 65 years or older
-- Do not use estrogens with progestins to prevent heart disease, heart
attack, or dementia
-- Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting
heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, or blood clots
-- Using estrogens with progestin may increase your chance of getting
dementia, based on a study of women 65 years and older
-- You and your health care provider should talk regularly about whether
you still need treatment with Vagifem®
Vagifem® is used after menopause to treat menopausal changes
in and around the vagina.
Do not start using Vagifem® if you: have unusual vaginal
bleeding, currently have or have had certain cancers, had a stroke
or heart attack, currently have or have had blood clots, currently
have or have had liver problems, are allergic to Vagifem® or
any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant.
The most commonly reported side effects of Vagifem®
included: headache, breast pain, irregular vaginal bleeding or
spotting, stomach/abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea and vomiting,
hair loss, fluid retention, and vaginal yeast infection.
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 87
years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company
also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone
therapy and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is
driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to social
responsibility to employees and customers, environmental soundness
and economic success. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk
employs more than 29,650 employees in 76 countries, and markets its
products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on
the stock exchange in Copenhagen and its ADRs are listed on the New
York Stock Exchange (NVO). For more information, visit
novonordisk-us.com.
About Upsher-Smith Laboratories
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc., founded in 1919, is a rapidly
growing, privately held pharmaceutical company that manufactures
and markets branded and branded generic prescription and
over-the-counter products. Upsher-Smith's product portfolio focuses
in the areas of women's health, dermatology, cardiology, and
central nervous system diseases. For more information, visit
www.upsher-smith.com
© 2010 Novo Nordisk Printed in the U.S.A. August 2010
Source: Novo Nordisk Inc.
CONTACT: Media: Sean Clements, Novo Nordisk,
+1-609-514-8400,
secl@novonordisk.com; Investors:
Hans Rommer, Novo Nordisk, +1-609-919-7937,
hrmm@novonordisk.com
Web Site: http://www.novonordisk-us.com/
Posted: August 2010
