Nabi Biopharmaceuticals announced that it has exercised its option to acquire full rights to Aloprim [Allopurinol sodium (for injection)] from DSM Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Aloprim is the only intravenous form of allopurinol currently marketed in the US and is used to help control elevated uric acid levels (hyperuricemia) in leukaemia, lymphoma or solid organ tumour patients who are not able to tolerate oral allopurinol. The acquisition of Aloprim helps to maintain Nabi Biopharmaceuticals' strong commitment to the haematology and the oncology markets.

In 1999, Nabi Biopharmaceuticals had acquired US distribution rights to Aloprim from Catalytica Pharmaceuticals on a profit sharing basis.

Aloprim provides marketing synergy in Nabi Biopharmaceuticals' haematology sales calls with WinRho SDF [Rho (D) Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)], its product for treating ITP, a serious autoimmune disease where a person's immune system attacks his or her own blood platelets. Marketing Aloprim to the haematology and the oncology communities allows Nabi Biopharmaceuticals to develop a future commercial pathway for StaphVAX [Staphylococcus aureus Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine] and Altastaph [Staphylococcus aureus Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)], two products in development that have been designed to prevent bacterial infections in at-risk patients.

Thomas H. McLain, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, stated, "This acquisition is in line with our commercialization strategy and builds on our hospital-based selling competencies. It also allows us to continue building our presence in the haematology and the oncology settings that are going to be important areas for the future commercialization of our developing Gram-positive programmes."

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals' focus is in the areas of infectious, autoimmune and addictive diseases.