Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc, a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, announced that the Swiss Chambers of Commerce Court of Arbitration has ruled that the Ferrlecit (sodium ferric gluconate complex in sucrose) supply and distribution agreements between Watson and Sanofi-aventis will expire on December 31, 2009. As a result of this decision, Watson will continue to market and sell Ferrlecit through December 31, 2009.
"We are very pleased with the panel's decision which affirms our right to market Ferrlecit and allows us to continue our commitment to the nephrology community," said Paul Bisaro, Watson's president and chief executive officer. "We have plans to continue our direct marketing efforts in nephrology, as well as extending the nephrology team's selling and marketing efforts to new products and areas where this seasoned sales force can provide additional value."
Watson recently launched Rapaflo (silodosin), the company's new alpha blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and Gelnique (oxybutynin chloride) gel 10%, the first and only topical gel for the treatment of overactive bladder with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency. The company also has a New Drug Application pending for its six month formulation of Trelstar (triptorelin pamoate), a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Watson anticipates that FDA will take action on this application in the third quarter 2009.
Watson Pharma is a global leader in the development and distribution of pharmaceuticals with a broad portfolio of generic products and a specialized portfolio of brand pharmaceuticals focused on Urology, Women's Health and Nephrology/Medical.