Par Pharmaceutical Companies Inc. has entered into a collaborative agreement with Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. to develop and market generic drugs, including generic versions of injectable and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.

Under the terms of the agreement, Spectrum will be responsible for the development of all products. Par will have exclusive rights to market, promote, sell and distribute the products in the US. Par will be responsible for all future sumatriptan litigation expenses.

"Our collaboration with Spectrum will expand the therapeutic scope, as well as the size of Par's generic product pipeline," said Scott Tarriff, president and chief executive officer.

"This agreement provides Par access to generic injectable and ophthalmic drugs, and adds a highly-valued, first-to-file opportunity to our portfolio of potential new products. We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at Spectrum to make this a very successful alliance," added Tarriff.

While abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) have been filed on several of the products subject to the agreement, other product candidates are currently in development or will be subject to future development. Among the products included in the agreement is sumatriptan succinate injection 6 mg/0.5 ml, the generic version of GSK's Imitrex injection, states the company release.

In 2004, Spectrum filed an ANDA containing a paragraph IV certification with the US Food and Drug Administration seeking marketing clearance for its generic version of the drug.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the business of acquiring, developing and commercializing prescription drug products for the treatment of cancer and other unmet medical needs.

Par Pharmaceutical Companies Inc. develops, manufactures and markets generic drugs and innovative branded pharmaceuticals for specialty markets.