Horizon Pharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing innovative medicines to target unmet therapeutic needs in arthritis, pain and inflammatory diseases, and Mallinckrodt LLC the Pharmaceuticals business of Covidien, have entered into a US co-promotion agreement for Duexis (ibuprofen and famotidine), which is indicated for the relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and to decrease the risk of developing upper gastrointestinal ulcers.

Duexis, a proprietary single-tablet combination of the NSAID ibuprofen and the histamine H2-receptor antagonist famotidine, is indicated for the relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and to decrease the risk of developing upper gastrointestinal ulcers, which in the clinical trials was defined as a gastric and/or duodenal ulcer, in patients who are taking ibuprofen for those indications. The clinical trials primarily enrolled patients less than 65 years of age without a prior history of gastrointestinal ulcer. Controlled trials do not extend beyond 6 months.  

"This collaboration with Mallinckrodt will expand our reach and frequency against key primary care physicians who treat patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis," said Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Horizon Pharma.  "The Horizon sales force has performed well in the initial phase of the Duexis launch.  As part of our continued commercial strategy, we believe the substantial promotional efforts of Mallinckrodt, along with increasing our own sales force with an additional 80 sales representatives will enable us to achieve critical mass in driving Duexis  revenue."

Under the terms of the agreement, Horizon granted Mallinckrodt the right to co-promote Duexis  in the United States through December 31, 2014 with the potential to renew for additional periods.  Horizon and Mallinckrodt have agreed that Mallinckrodt will promote to targeted physicians and is entitled to receive performance-based compensation.  The Mallinckrodt sales force is expected to begin promoting Duexis to physicians in August 2012.  Horizon will continue to record all revenues for Duexis and will remain responsible for Duexis  manufacturing, supply and regulatory activities.

"Duexis is a perfect complement to our existing portfolio of pain products," said Mark Trudeau, president, pharmaceuticals, Covidien.  "We look forward to using our experience and relationships to expand adoption of Duexis  by primary care physicians."