Baxter Healthcare Corporation and InterMune, Inc. announced that the companies have signed an agreement for InterMune to co-promote Aralast (alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (human) to pulmonologists in the United States. Under this agreement, the InterMune sales force will detail Aralast for the treatment of hereditary emphysema.

"This agreement allows Baxter to expand the sales force for Aralast with a team that has extensive experience in working with orphan drugs, like Aralast, and already has established relationships in the pulmonology arena," said John Greisch, president of Baxter´s BioScience business. "In addition, the increased number of sales representatives will work to raise awareness and diagnosis of this debilitating condition. Currently, it is estimated less than five percent of individuals carrying the alpha1 antitrypsin deficient gene are diagnosed."

"We are pleased to partner with Baxter to co-promote Aralast for patients with hereditary emphysema who are in need of treatment options and to build greater awareness for this disease," said Roger Hawley, InterMune´s executive vice president of Commercial Operations. "We will create synergy by adding Aralast to the InterMune product portfolio. This partnership will effectively leverage our significant commercial and medical marketing capabilities in bringing patients and physicians educational programs, reimbursement support, and screening and detection programs."

Aralast is a human alpha1 - proteinase inhibitor (A1PI) indicated for the treatment of hereditary emphysema, which is a genetic condition caused by a deficiency of A1PI in the lungs. People with this deficiency have reduced serum levels of A1PI, an important blood protein processed in the liver that can protect lung tissue from damage caused by enzymes that are released by white blood cells. According to the Alpha-1 Foundation, A1PI deficiency affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States. It is estimated more than 95 percent of those with AAT deficiency are undiagnosed. Without sufficient quantities of A1PI, patients develop lung damage. If untreated, A1PI deficiency can result in emphysema and premature death.