FWIW....
01:48pm EDT 21-Sep-98 Corporate Release (GERALDINE U. FOSTER 973-822-7410) SGP
SGP'S PHARMACEUTICAL AND PRODUCT PIPELINE INSIGHTS
September 1998
KEY DATES
SGP representatives will speak at the following meetings:
10/6/98 Warburg Dillon Read Fourth Annual Health Care
Conference.
10/9/98 A Day at Madison (ADAM) Meeting.
10/20/98 SGP will release earnings for the three and nine months
ending September 30, 1998.
PRODUCT PIPELINE INSIGHTS
The September issue of the PRODUCT PIPELINE includes these
changes:
Early Phase -- As previously announced by Corvas, SGP is no
longer developing the oral thrombin inhibitor; the compound has,
therefore, been removed from the PRODUCT PIPELINE. In addition,
pilot studies for QUADRAKINE (interleukin-4) as a treatment for
rheumatoid arthritis have been discontinued. However, discovery
efforts are continuing in other indications for QUADRAKINE.
Phase III -- Three indications for PRODUCT PIPELINE compounds
have advanced to this phase: desloratadine, formerly called the
CLARITIN metabolite (DCL), for seasonal allergic rhinitis;
PEG-INTRON A for malignant melanoma; and TENOVIL for Crohn's
disease. The tradename REMICADE has replaced the generic name
"infliximab."
NDA/BLA/PLA/HRD Filed -- Marketing applications have been filed
in the United States for TEMODAL as a treatment for gliomas
(brain tumors) and malignant melanoma, and in the United States
and the United Kingdom for VASOMAX for male erectile dysfunction.
SGP has decided not to commercialize COMBISOR for the treatment
of psoriasis; therefore, the U.S. submission for marketing
approval has been withdrawn.
Approvals -- FDA marketing approval was granted on August 25 for
the use of INTRON A for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in
pediatric patients 1 year of age or older. That indication has,
therefore, been removed from the PRODUCT PIPELINE.
PHARMACEUTICAL INSIGHTS
Crohn's disease (CD), an inflammatory bowel disorder, is a
debilitating disease that currently afflicts some 260,000
Americans and more than 150,000 Europeans. Symptoms of CD include
diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, and weight loss. In the
past, treatment options have included aspirin derivatives,
steroid therapy and, in the worst cases, surgery. SGP has two
promising therapies for CD on the PRODUCT PIPELINE: TENOVIL
(interleukin-10), an immune system regulator and anti-
inflammatory agent; and Centocor's REMICADE (infliximab), a novel
monoclonal antibody. (SGP has worldwide rights to REMICADE,
excluding the United States, Japan and portions of the Far East.)
INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL INSIGHTS
Sales exposure to foreign currencies: We thought our readers
might like a rundown of SGP's sales exposure in world markets
currently in the news. For the first six months of 1998, sales in
Latin America were 7 percent of consolidated sales and, in
Russia, less than one-half of 1 percent. Far East sales,
excluding Japan, were 2 percent and, including Japan, 5 percent
of consolidated sales. Readers are also reminded that SGP's
HealthCare Products is overwhelmingly a U.S. business, with
international sales coming primarily from Canada.
THE FINAL WORD
Now that Labor Day has come and gone,
It's time, once again for a September Song.
We started the summer with reason to croon
When the FDA approved REBETRON* back in June.
Next, we had reason to celebrate the day
When the suit on the patent was settled for INTRON A.
In July, SGP management went to New York City
To give a "State of the Company" in words clear and pithy.
Following that, we announced the Immune Response deal
With hopes that gene therapy will hep. B and C heal.
Thereafter, we made some news we don't want to hide:
For oral ribavirin, we've now got exclusive rights worldwide!
Then REBETRON's sNDA filed back in June
Got priority review status, so FDA will look at it soon.
On August 18, TEMODAL data was submitted
For this drug, which against deadly gliomas is pitted.
It's also for malignant melanoma that's advanced;
Survival from this has a very low chance.
At the end of August, as summer drew to an end,
We announced still another approval again;
For pediatric patients with hep. B it's now OK
To administer our well-known drug, INTRON A.
Now, while our readers were getting away from their phones
And safely bronzing bodies on beaches with our COPPERTONE,
We were busy as beavers back at old SGP,
Striving, as always, to be the best we can be!
*REBETRON Combination Therapy containing
REBETOL Capsules and INTRON A Injection
# # #
Geraldine U. Foster
(973) 822-7410
Lisa W. DeBerardine
(973) 822-7437
Janet M. Barth
(973) 822-7417
END OF NOTE
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