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Biotech / Medical : MGI Pharma MOGN New patents, anti cancer -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jim Oravetz who wrote (1368)	3/20/2001 1:11:59 PM
From: Jim Oravetz	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1826

MGI PHARMA Launches Hexalen(R) Capsules and Mylocel(TM) Tablets MGI Sales Force Begins Exclusive Promotion in U.S. Oncology Market MINNEAPOLIS, March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- MGI PHARMA, Inc. (Nasdaq: MOGN) today announced that its sales force is now actively promoting Hexalen(R) Capsules (altretamine) and Mylocel(TM) Tablets (hydroxyurea) in the U.S. oncology market. MGI PHARMA purchased the exclusive worldwide rights to Hexalen Capsules, a second-line therapy for patients with persistent and recurrent ovarian cancer, from MedImmune Inc. in November 2000. MGI PHARMA was selected by Barr Laboratories to be the exclusive marketer of Mylocel Tablets, a hydroxyurea tablet for treating certain malignancies, in January 2001. "As the exclusive marketer and distributor for both of these innovative therapies, MGI's sales and marketing team is very excited to actively promote Hexalen Capsules and Mylocel Tablets to U.S. oncologists and hematologists," commented Lonnie Moulder, executive vice president of MGI PHARMA. "In addition to near-term revenue potential, both of these products provide great synergy for our sales and marketing efforts with our existing and future oncology product offerings." Moulder added, "Hexalen Capsules and Mylocel Tablets represent solid additions to our late-stage oncology product portfolio, which includes irofulven, MGI's promising anti-cancer drug, currently in Phase 3 development for pancreatic cancer, and palonosetron, a supportive care product for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, also in Phase 3 development." About Hexalen(R) Capsules Hexalen Capsules (altretamine) are an orally administered chemotherapeutic agent approved in the United States for treatment of ovarian cancer in patients with persistent or recurrent disease following first-line therapy with cisplatin and/or alkylating agent-based combination chemotherapy. Without active promotion, Hexalen Capsules previously produced approximately $2 million in annual sales. MGI PHARMA now plans to provide the required promotional attention and support to re-establish Hexalen as a viable, efficacious second-line ovarian cancer therapy. Physicians who treat ovarian cancer and prescribe the product primarily include gynecological and medical oncologists. About Mylocel(TM) Tablets Mylocel Tablets (hydroxyurea) are an antineoplastic agent indicated for the treatment of melanoma, resistant chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), and recurrent, metastatic, or inoperable carcinoma of the ovary. It is also indicated for use in combination with radiation therapy for certain head and neck cancers. The U.S. market for all forms of hydroxyurea totals approximately $20 million annually. Recently approved by the FDA, Mylocel Tablets are the only triple-scored, 1000-mg. hydroxyurea tablet available, which offers simplified dosing in 250 mg. increments and the possibility of once-daily dosing with a single tablet. Physicians who prescribe the product primarily include medical oncologists and hematologists.