Ovation Pharmaceuticals Inc announced the acquisition of the exclusive U.S. rights to Mebaral (mephobarbital), Chemet (succimer), and Winstrol (stanozolol, USP) from Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc. All three products were acquired in a cash transaction. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition expands Ovation's product portfolio, which is focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders and other specialty therapeutic areas, and represents Ovation's third multi-product acquisition in less than a year. This transaction adds three more FDA-approved pharmaceutical products to Ovation's product portfolio. Mebaral, Chemet, and Winstrol complement Ovation's current product line, which includes four CNS drugs and a biological treatment for an orphan indication.

Mebaral, a barbiturate, is indicated for the relief of anxiety and the treatment of epilepsy. Chemet is the only FDA-approved drug indicated for the treatment of lead poisoning in pediatric patients with blood lead levels in excess of 45 ug/dL. Winstrol is used to decrease the frequency and severity of attacks of hereditary angioedema, a rare and serious genetic condition.

"The acquisition of Mebaral, Chemet, and Winstrol furthers our strategy of focusing on approved pharmaceutical products that are needed by niche patient populations but no longer fit the strategic objectives of the large pharmaceutical companies that own them," said Jeffrey S. Aronin, Ovation's President. "The addition of these products reinforces Ovation's strategic commitment to build a portfolio of branded pharmaceuticals that have established safety and efficacy records and to supply the market with key therapeutic agents. We anticipate further growing our portfolio through a combination of internal product development and product acquisitions."