Solvay and Pronova Biocare sign license agreement for Omacor® to expand Solvay’s cardiology portfolio in Asia
New markets for omega-3 treatment
SOLVAY PHARMACEUTICALS and PRONOVA BIOCARE (Norway) announce today the signing of an additional license and supply agreement for OMACOR®, a product indicated for the secondary prevention after myocardial infarction (MI) and hypertriglyceridemia. This agreement complements Solvay Pharmaceuticals’ Cardiology product portfolio in Asia and New Zealand. Cardiovascular mortality and morbidity are major causes of health concern, and increase as populations age.
Solvay Pharmaceuticals acquires the exclusive distribution rights for India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong-Kong and New Zealand. This is a major territorial expansion in addition to Solvay’s current OMACOR® franchise in e.g. greater Europe and the Middle East. Solvay Pharmaceuticals will take over the active registration in Thailand and submit registration files for the indications secondary prevention post-MI and hypertriglyceridemia in the other countries.
OMACOR® contains highly purified omega-3-acid ethyl esters. The product is registered by Pronova / Solvay Pharmaceuticals in more than 30 countries for adjuvant treatment in secondary prevention after myocardial infarction and for treatment of increased blood triglyceride levels or hypertriglyceridemia.
OMACOR® is part of the Solvay Pharmaceuticals’ cardiology product portfolio, which also includes the anti-hypertensives, TEVETEN® (eprosartan), PHYSIOTENS® (moxonidine) and the lipid lowering agent LIPHANTHYL® (fenofibrate), which was recently added to Solvay’s cardiology portfolio through the acquisition of Fournier Pharma.
SOLVAY is an international chemical and pharmaceutical group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs some 33,000 people (with Fournier Pharma) in 50 countries. In 2004 its consolidated pro forma sales amounted to EUR 8.5 billion generated by its three activity sectors : Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay is listed on the Euronext 100 index of top European companies. Details are available at www.solvay.com.
SOLVAY PHARMACEUTICALS is the pharmaceuticals entity of Solvay. It is a research driven pharmaceutical company that seeks to fulfill carefully selected, unmet medical needs in the therapeutic areas of cardiology, gastroenterology, mental health and gynecology/andrology. Solvay Pharmaceuticals employs about 13,000 people worldwide (with Fournier Pharma).
PRONOVA BIOCARE is a world leader in Omega-3 fatty acids. The active ingredients of OMACOR® are processed at Pronova’s plant in Sandefjord / Norway. The production process is patented all over the world. More information is available from the website www.pronovabiocare.com