21st Feb 2005 07:00
Sinclair Pharma PLC21 February 2005 SINCLAIR PHARMA PLC ALOCLAIR(R) DISTRIBUTION OUTLETS SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDED IN US WAL-MART TO SELL ALOCLAIR(R) RINSE (RINCINOL(R)) IN US Godalming UK, 21 February 2005: Sinclair Pharma plc ("Sinclair" or the "Company") (SPH.L), the specialty pharmaceutical company, announces today that it hasbeen informed by its US sales and marketing partner Sunstar Butler (part ofSunstar Group) that the US based retailing giant Wal-Mart has accepted Aloclair(R) Rinse (marketed as Rincinol(R)) for distribution in its US stores andSuperstores. Wal-Mart has placed its initial order with Sunstar Butler, to beprovided in a plastic bottle and hooked suspension package to optimise spaceutilisation, and it is anticipated that the product will be in-store in April2005. This development greatly increases the availability of the product in thekey US market and follows the recent Sunstar decision to expand its Europeanagreement for all three Aloclair(R) products. Aloclair(R)'s three delivery systems (an oral rinse solution, an oral gel andthe oral spray) are approved in the US and the EU. 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. Wal-Mart is the world's largest retailer, with $256.3 billion in sales in thefiscal year ending Jan. 31, 2004. The company employs 1.6 million associatesworldwide through more than 3,600 facilities in the United States and more than1,570 units in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, China, Korea,Germany and the United Kingdom. More than 138 million customers per week visitWal-Mart stores worldwide. From its first international store in 1991 they havegrown to more than 1,500 stores in nine countries. In 2002, Wal-Mart became No.1 on the FORTUNE 500 list. In 2003 and 2004, Wal-Mart was named "Most AdmiredCompany in America" by FORTUNE magazine. Dr. Michael Flynn, Chief Executive of Sinclair, commented: "Sunstar hassignificantly increased the number of US retail outlets for Aloclair(R)(Rincinol(R)) through its arrangement with Wal-Mart and recently substantiallyincreased the European marketing and distribution network for Aloclair(R)products in Europe. Aloclair(R) is presently our largest product and theseagreements represent important steps towards establishing Aloclair(R) as asuccessful global brand." For further enquiries:Sinclair Pharma plcDr Michael Flynn, CEO Tel: (0)1483 426 644John Barrington-Carver (Media Enquiries) Tel: (0) 7831 655 630 Financial DynamicsBen 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---------------------- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. For additional information on Wal-mart see www.walmartfacts.com --------------------Sunstar Butler and Sunstar Suisse Sunstar Butler and Sunstar Suisse are part of the international Sunstar Groupwith sales of 62.35 Billion Yen (US£590 Million) in the year ended 31 March2004. The Group employs 1490 people worldwide including 600 at Sunstar Butler.Sunstar designs, manufactures, and sells oral care products used in theprevention of tooth decay and periodontal disease. The Company's principalproducts include toothbrushes, interdental cleaners, and other preventive aids.In the United States and Canada, Sunstar Butler sells products to dentalprofessionals who sell or dispense it to patients, or use it during treatment.In addition, Sunstar Butler sells products to consumer retail market stores. In 1988, Butler was bought by Sunstar, Inc., a leading Japanese manufacturer ofhealth related consumer products. Sunstar's strength and experience inmanufacturing, research, and development have enhanced Sunstar Butler's abilityto grow and prosper. 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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