Message #15 From:
NewsBot Date: December 18, 2006 09:46:00 AM
AIS News Antares Receives First FDA Approval of ATD(TM) Gel Platform
EWING, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Antares Pharma, Inc. (Amex: AIS) announced the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approved for marketing Elestrin™
(formerly Bio-E-Gel®) in the United States.
Antares’ development partner, BioSante
Pharmaceuticals (Amex: BPA) announced today that Bio-E-Gel will be
marketed under the name Elestrin™ by Bradley
Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NYSE: BDY) and is indicated for the treatment of
moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) associated with
menopause. Elestrin is the first FDA approved product in Antares’
Advanced Transdermal Delivery (ATD™) gel
platform. Two doses of Elestrin, 0.87 grams per day and 1.7 grams per
day, were approved and there are no future post-approval clinical
development commitments required by the FDA. Elestrin (0.87 grams per
day) is the lowest dose of estradiol currently approved by the FDA for
the treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms. Antares
currently retains the sole marketing rights of the product for Europe
and elsewhere.
On November 8, 2006 Antares announced the signing of a marketing
agreement with Bradley Pharmaceuticals. Bradley has announced plans to
market Elestrin in the U.S. beginning in 2007 through its Kenwood
Therapeutics Division, with at least 49 Kenwood sales representatives
targeting estrogen prescribing physicians composed mostly of
gynecologists. The agreement with Bradley provides for regulatory and
sales based milestone payments of potentially more than $13 million to
Antares. The FDA approval of Elestrin has triggered a $2.6 million
payment to Antares of which $1.75 million is expected to be paid to
Antares within 14 weeks of approval and the remainder within one year of
approval. In addition, Antares will receive royalties on sales of
Elestrin as well as sales-based milestone payments when marketed by
Bradley.
Jack Stover, President & CEO commented, “FDA
approval of Antares Pharma’s formulation of
estradiol ATD gel is a significant milestone since Elestrin is Antares’
first pharmaceutical product in our ATD gel platform to be approved by
the FDA for marketing. Additionally it may be another important revenue
contributor in the near future.” Stover
added, “We are pleased that the lowest dose
of Elestrin approved is currently the lowest dose available, which may
provide a distinct marketing advantage.”
Antares Pharma is a specialized pharma product development company
focused on developing patented drug delivery systems and injectable
device engineering capabilities. Antares’
current technology platforms include its ATD™
Advanced Transdermal Delivery system, and its related TecTix™
system for topical and transmucosal delivery, its Easy Tec™
oral fast-melt technology, and subcutaneous injection technology
platforms including both Vibex™ disposable
mini-needle injection device and Valeo™/Vision®
reusable needle-free injection devices. Antares Pharma is committed to
leveraging its multiple drug delivery platforms to add value to existing
drugs and to create new pharmaceutical products and injectable devices.
Overall, Antares’ product pipeline, if
approved, will address unmet medical needs by reducing side effect
profiles, improving safety, increasing effectiveness, and improving
patient compliance and convenience. Antares Pharma has corporate
headquarters in Princeton Crossroads Corporate Center in Ewing, NJ, with
subsidiaries performing research, development, manufacturing and product
commercialization activities in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Basel,
Switzerland.
Safe Harbor Statement
In addition to historical facts or statements or current conditions,
this press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the “Safe Harbor”
provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including statements regarding the receipt of regulatory and sales based
milestones of potentially $13 million. Forward-looking statements
provide Antares’ current expectation or
forecasts of future events. Antares’ results
could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking
statements due to decisions of regulatory authorities, Antares’
ability to execute on its development plans and general financial,
economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the
pharmaceutical industry generally. For a discussion of these and other
risks and uncertainties that may effect the forward-looking statements,
please see the risk factors in Antares’
quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking
statements may prove to be incorrect. Antares undertakes no obligation
to update publicly any forward-looking statement.