News
TAP Enters Into Co-Promotion Agreement for Famvir(R)
Co-Promotion of Genital Herpes Drug Expands Company's Product Offerings, Leverages Vast Experience in Women's Health
TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. announced today that it has entered into a co-promotion agreement with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation to co-promote Famvir(R) (famciclovir), an oral antiviral prescription medication. Under the terms of the agreement, TAP will be responsible for promoting Famvir to the Obstetrician/Gynecology (OB/GYN) medical community.
Famvir was most recently approved for a single-day treatment in patients with recurrent genital herpes (RGH) and for a single dose treatment for recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in otherwise healthy patients. Famvir is the first and only oral antiviral approved to treat recurrent genital herpes with just a single day of therapy.
Famvir is also indicated for the suppression of recurrent genital herpes in otherwise healthy patients, for the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex virus infections (genital herpes and cold sores) in HIV-infected patients, and for the treatment of acute herpes zoster (shingles).
"By applying our vast experience in women's health to this innovative therapy from Novartis, we believe this will be a strong, productive partnership," said Alan MacKenzie, president of TAP. "Our specialty sales force has the expertise to further educate physicians about Famvir, continuing to establish it as an important treatment option for patients suffering from this disease."
In July, Novartis announced FDA approval of Famvir tablets as a single-day treatment for otherwise healthy patients with RGH, based on a supplemental new drug application (sNDA). Famvir significantly reduced the time to healing of non-aborted lesions, as well as time to resolution of studied symptoms, such as pain and burning, in RGH patients by almost two days.
"The recent launch of the new single-day indication for Famvir has been very successful, and our partnership with TAP will allow more physicians and patients to benefit from this significant advance in the treatment of recurrent genital herpes," said Alex Gorsky, Chief Executive Officer, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. "TAP has a strong presence among obstetricians and gynecologists, and their expertise in this area will help us reach an important segment of physicians who are treating this disease every day."
The agreement covers the United States. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.