Schwarz Pharma expands its European presence with new affiliates in Austria and Switzerland in order to strengthen existing business and to prepare its own sales force for product expansion with future drugs from clinical development.

According to the company sources, as from January 1, 2005, Schwarz Pharma is selling its products like Prostavasin (alprostadil) against peripheral arterial closure as well as the nitrates Monoket (isosorbidmononitrat), Deponit (glyceroltrinitrat patch) and Perlinganit (glyceroltrinitrat) for the treatment of coronary heart disease via its own affiliate in Austria. Until now, these drugs had been marketed by a licence partner.

The termination of the licence agreement and the foundation of the Schwarz Pharma GmbH with premises in Vienna were triggered in particular by the upcoming launch of the Parkinson patch Neupro (rotigotine transdermal system) and other future drugs from Schwarz Pharma's own clinical development, a company release says.

"It is our intention to sell current and future Schwarz Pharma drugs in Austria with maximum support and knowledge," said Michaela Modes, managing director of Schwarz Pharma GmbH, Vienna.

In Switzerland as well, Schwarz Pharma is preparing for the launch of Neupro and other future drugs from its own clinical development. The application files for Neupro submitted to the Swiss regulatory authority (Swissmedic) at the end of 2004 have already been formally accepted. As from mid 2004, the Schwarz Pharma AG with premises in Münchenstein is marketing Deponit, Isoket (Isosorbiddinitrat) and Ferro Duo (iron-II-glycin-sulfat) in its own name, after these products had been re-purchased from a licence partner. In addition, further innovative products for a number of cardio-vascular indications will be launched within the near future, the release added.