24th Feb 2005 07:04
Vernalis PLC24 February 2005 24 February 2005 Vernalis exercises option to co-promote Frova(R) with Endo Pharmaceuticals in the U.S. Vernalis plc (LSE: VER, Nasdaq: VNLS) announces today that it intends toestablish a U.S. commercial infrastructure through the exercise of its optionwith Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. to co-promote frovatriptan in the United States.Vernalis licensed exclusive North American sales and marketing rights tofrovatriptan (marketed as Frova(R) in the U.S.) to Endo in July 2004. Under the agreement Endo will provide funding for and assist in theestablishment of the Vernalis sales team of up to 25 specialty neurology salesrepresentatives for up to 5 years, beginning 1st January 2006. The Vernalissales team has the opportunity to market other prospective central nervoussystem products in addition to frovatriptan, and will form Vernalis' corecommercial operations in North America for the future sale of pharmaceuticals.The exercise of this option does not affect the royalties or other payments dueunder the July 2004 agreement. Enquiries: Vernalis plc +44 (0) 118 977 3133 Simon Sturge, Chief ExecutiveTony Weir, Chief Financial OfficerJulia Wilson, Head of Corporate Communications Brunswick Group +44 (0) 20 7404 5959 Jon ColesWendel Verbeek About frovatriptan Frovatriptan (marketed as Frova(R) in the USA) was approved by the FDA onNovember 8, 2001 for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or withoutaura (subjective symptoms at the onset of a migraine headache) in adults. Frova(R) is generally well tolerated, with a side-effect profile that is typical ofthe triptan class of drugs. The most common side effects are dizziness, fatigue,paresthesia (tingling), flushing, headache, dry mouth, hot or cold sensation,and chest pain. The FDA-approved dosing for Frova(R) is one 2.5 mg tablet up tothree times within a 24-hour period. Frova(R) has not been approved by the FDAfor any indications other than for the treatment of acute migraine headaches,and its safety and efficacy in other indications have not been established. Safe Harbour statement: this news release may contain forward-looking statementsthat reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events.Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events coulddiffer materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factorsincluding the success of the Company's research strategies, the applicability ofthe discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion of clinicalstudies, the uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the successfulintegration of completed mergers and acquisitions and achievement of expectedsynergies from such transactions, and the ability of the Company to identify andconsummate suitable strategic and business combination transactions. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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