NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc. has executed an agreement with Allergan Inc to promote Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05%), the first and currently only prescription eye drop to increase tear production in patients with chronic dry eye disease (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), a common condition characterised by insufficient tear production to lubricate the eye. Chronic dry eye disease frequently affects patients with autoimmune disorders.
Under the agreement Allergan will supply product, promotional materials, training and other support to NPS rheumatology sales professionals who will promote Restasis ophthalmic emulsion exclusively to rheumatologists in the United States for a period of four years starting November 2005. The promotion of Restasis ophthalmic emulsion expands the activities of the NPS sales force in preparation for the launch of Preos, the company's proprietary drug candidate for the treatment of osteoporosis, which is under review by the US Food and Drug Administration, maintains a company release.
Allergan will continue to promote Restasis ophthalmic emulsion to ophthalmologists and optometrists through its sales force and its extensive direct to consumer (DTC) advertising, while NPS will support Allergan's promotional efforts through sales and marketing activities directed to rheumatologists. NPS also will continue to promote Kineret (anakinra), a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, to rheumatologists based on its agreement with Amgen Inc.
The addition of Restasis ophthalmic emulsion to its product mix expands the benefit to NPS from its current sales organisation and strengthens the relationships that NPS is building within the rheumatology community. The agreement with Allergan is expected to generate additional revenue for Restasis ophthalmic emulsion. NPS will share in that revenue by receiving a percentage of the incremental sales generated through its promotional activities.
Dr. Hunter Jackson, Chairman, president and CEO, NPS said, "This agreement represents continuing implementation of our commercial development plan. It expands our product line in rheumatology and gives us an important new product to offer rheumatologists and their patients with chronic dry eye disease. We are excited about the opportunity to promote Restasis ophthalmic emulsion and thereby increase our interactions with the rheumatology community and strengthen our franchise in this key therapeutic area as we pursue regulatory approval of Preos in the US and Europe."
Chronic dry eye disease currently affects more than 3.2 million women aged 50 years of age and older and is the most common ocular manifestation in rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic irritation to the surface of the eye can eventually cause a disruption in the normal tear producing system. This may result in declining quantity of tears. If left untreated, chronic dry eye can lead to impaired vision and an increased risk of ophthalmic infection (i)(ii)(iii).
Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05%) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in December 2002 to increase tear production in patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with chronic dry eye.