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Wednesday August 27 12:39 PM EDT
Company Press Release
Source: The Liposome Company, Inc.
Wyeth-Ayerst To Market ABELCET(R) In France and Italy for The Liposome
Company
PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Liposome Company, Inc.
(Nasdaq:LIPO) today announced that Wyeth-Ayerst International, Inc., a
division of American Home Products Corporation (NYSE:AHP), will be its
marketing partner for ABELCET(R) in France and Italy. ABELCET is a
proprietary drug developed by The Liposome Company to treat severe
systemic fungal infections usually occurring in immunosuppressed
patients.
``Wyeth-Ayerst will be an excellent partner for us in these countries,''
said Charles A. Baker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The
Liposome Company. ``They have a strong presence in the hospital market,
and excellent skills and experience in the oncology and infectious
disease sectors, that will enable them to market ABELCET effectively.
France and Italy are two of the largest pharmaceutical markets in Europe
and represent great opportunities to increase our international sales of
ABELCET.''
``ABELCET will be an important addition to our product portfolio in
Europe, where Wyeth-Ayerst enjoys a leadership position in the
hospital-based pharmaceutical market,'' said Bernard Poussot, President,
Wyeth-Ayerst International. ``Preparations to launch the product in
September are underway, and we look forward to the same positive
physician acceptance for this product in France and Italy as it has
experienced elsewhere.''
Seventeen countries have approved ABELCET for various indicated uses.
ABELCET is the only lipid based amphotericin B product to have gained
approval in France. The companies have indicated that they are
discussing possible collaborations in other international markets.
The major types of systemic fungal infections are candidiasis,
aspergillosis and cryptococcal meningitis. The fungi that cause these
infections are normally controlled and disposed of by the body's healthy
immune system. However, patients with suppressed immune systems, most
often resulting from the therapies for cancer and bone marrow
transplants, as well as patients with AIDS can lose the ability to
combat these fungi. Candida species are the most common type of invasive
fungal infections, representing approximately 70 percent of all such
infections. Fatality rates in candida infections are between 30 and 40
percent. Aspergillosis, while occurring less frequently, is a
significant threat as fatality rates for this disease are approximately
90 percent. Cryptococcal meningitis is a disease that frequently strikes
patients with AIDS.
Wyeth-Ayerst International is a major research-oriented pharmaceutical
company with leading products in the areas of women's health care,
cardiovascular and metabolic disease therapies, central nervous system
drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, vaccines, and anti-infectives and
oncology products. American Home Products is one of the world's largest
research-based pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is
a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of
prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. It is also a global
leader in vaccines, biotechnology, agricultural products, animal health
care and medical devices.
The Liposome Company is a broad-based biopharmaceutical company
developing and marketing products based on its knowledge of lipid
technology. ABELCET (Amphotericin B Lipid Complex Injection) is marketed
in the U.S. and other countries for the treatment of severe systemic
fungal infections. TLC D-99 and other products are being developed to
treat various cancers. Research is being conducted on new cancer
therapies and biologically active lipids that may have therapeutic
applications.
Except for historical information, this press release contains forward-
looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including but
not limited to statements regarding future growth in sales of ABELCET,
the possibility of finalizing agreements for other markets, and the
likelihood that TLC D-99 or any other product can be successfully
developed and commercialized. While these statements reflect the
Company's best current judgment, they are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary, including the
risk factors identified in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated
June 9, 1997 and in the Company's subsequent SEC filings.
This release is also available at lipo.com
SOURCE: The Liposome Company, Inc. |
