Factive (gemifloxacin mesylate) tablets, Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corporation's lead antibiotic product, has been launched by Pfizer, S.A. de C.V. (Pfizer Mexico), the largest pharmaceutical company in Mexico. Pfizer Mexico is promoting Factive-5 in Mexico for the five-day treatment of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB), acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

"Pfizer Mexico is introducing Factive-5, the most potent member of the fluoroquinolone class in vitro, to physicians in Mexico for these indications with three national field sales forces and one specialty field sales force," stated Steven M. Rauscher, president and chief executive officer of Oscient Pharmaceuticals. "We congratulate Pfizer Mexico on its launch of Factive-5 and remain committed to building the brand in our licensed territories - Mexico, Canada, Europe and the United States."

Pfizer Mexico, which sublicensed the rights to develop and commercialize Factive in Mexico in February of this year, gained regulatory approval from the Ministry of Health in Mexico in August. Oscient will receive royalties on sales of Factive-5 in Mexico. Factive is currently approved in the US for the five-day treatment of AECB and the seven-day treatment of mild to moderate CAP. Factive is also approved in Canada for the five-day treatment of AECB.