17th Feb 2005 07:00
Sinclair Pharma PLC17 February 2005 SINCLAIR PHARMA PLC EXPANSION OF ALOCLAIR(R) DISTRIBUTION IN EU AND FIRST DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT FOR ATOPICLAIR(TM) IN EU Godalming UK, 17 February 2005: Sinclair Pharma plc ("Sinclair" or the "Company") (SPH.L), the specialty pharmaceutical company, announces today that it hasreached agreement with Sunstar Suisse SA ("Sunstar"), part of the Sunstar Group,to substantially expand its European agreement for the distribution of Aloclair(R) Rinse and Aloclair(R) Gel, a treatment for mouth ulcers, to add eight newEuropean countries. Sunstar has also licensed Aloclair(R) Spray in all 20European countries where it sells or will sell the Rinse and Gel. The global mouth ulcers market is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion perannum. TNS market research conducted for Sinclair indicates that 16% of theadult population get an oral ulcer over a 12 month period and 64% of thatpopulation seek pain relief with a medication. That research translates to auser base of over 100 million adults in the EU and US. Sinclair also announces today that it has licensed Atopiclair(TM) in Portugal toDysonovis, a young and growing company with a sales force that addressesdermatologists, GP's, pediatricians and pharmacies. Atopiclair(TM) is Sinclair'snon-steroidal cream indicated for relief and management of the itching, burningand pain that patients experience with atopic dermatitis and allergic contactdermatitis (skin allergy). Atopiclair(TM) was recently licensed in the US toChester Valley Pharmaceuticals, a US company focused on the dermatology market.Atopiclair(TM) is the first prescription medical device in the US authorised bythe US FDA to relieve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis and allergic contactdermatitis. All three Aloclair(R) products (an oral rinse solution, an oral gel and the oralspray) will now be distributed by Sunstar in France, Germany, Austria, Spain,Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Holland, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, Luxembourg. Sunstarhas today added the Czech Republic, Iceland, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia,Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia to the list of countries distributing Aloclair(R).Aloclair(R)'s three delivery systems are approved in the US and the EU. Dr. Michael Flynn, Chief Executive of Sinclair, commented: "Through thisagreement we have significantly increased the European marketing anddistribution network for Aloclair(R) in Europe as well as agreeing theintroduction of the Aloclair(R) Spray line extension in 20 countries. Aloclair(R) is presently our largest product and these agreements represent importantsteps towards establishing Aloclair(R) as a successful global brand. "We are also very engaged in the establishment of a sound marketing anddistribution network for Atopiclair(TM) in Europe this year and the agreementwith Dysonovis in Portugal represents the first, albeit small, step towardsachieving this goal." For further enquiries: Sinclair Pharma plc Dr Michael Flynn, CEO Tel: (0)1483 426 644 John Barrington-Carver (Media Enquiries) Tel: (0) 7831 655 630 Financial Dynamics Ben Atwell / Lucy Briggs Tel: (0) 207 831 3113 Notes to editors: Sinclair Pharma plc Sinclair Pharma plc based in Godalming in the UK, is quoted on the AlternativeInvestment Market (AIM) on the London Stock Exchange and has focused on theacquisition and development of niche patented pharmaceutical products in thefields of oral health, oncology support and dermatology, and bringing them tothe international market place via out-licensing partners. The Company combinesproduct evaluation, product development, regulatory and business developmentexpertise to add value to its acquired and in-house developed products. A keyelement of the Sinclair business model is to minimise risk and exposure byavoiding involvement in lengthy R&D programmes and rapidly achieving globaldistribution through a network of marketing partners. The Company has alreadylicensed its products for distribution in over 40 countries around the world.www.sinclairpharma.com Sunstar Suisse Sunstar Suisse is part of the international Sunstar Group with sales of 62.35Billion Yen (US£590 Million) in the year ended 31 March 2004. The Groupemploys 1490 people worldwide including 600 at Sunstar Butler. Sunstar designs,manufactures, and sells oral care products used in the prevention of tooth decayand periodontal disease. The Company's principal products include toothbrushes,interdental cleaners, and other preventive aids. In the United States andCanada, Sunstar Butler sells products to dental professionals who sell ordispense it to patients, or use it during treatment. In addition, Sunstar Butlersells products to consumer retail market stores. www.sunstar.com "Safe Harbor" Statement under the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of1995: Some or all of the statements in this document that relate to futureplans, expectations, events, performances and the like are forward-lookingstatements, as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of1995. Actual results of events could differ materially from those described inthe forward- looking statements due to a variety of factors. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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