Market launch in France expected in 2013
Martinsried/Munich, July 2, 2012. Medigene AG (MDG, Frankfurt, Prime Standard) announced today that Veregen® for the treatment of genital warts has obtained marketing authorization in France. Market launch of Veregen® by Medigene’s partner, Laboratoires Expanscience, is expected in 2013, upon conclusion of the reimbursable price-fixing procedure. France is one of the major European markets.
Veregen® is already being marketed successfully in the USA (by Fougera), Germany and Austria (by Abbott), and Spain (by Bial). Marketing authorizations in additional countries are granted or expected within the next few months. Medigene has entered into several marketing partnerships for Veregen® across Europe, Asia, and America and is planning to continue this global licensing strategy.
Veregen®: Veregen® (previously Polyphenon E® ointment), a topical treatment for external genital warts, contains a concentrate of catechins with a complex defined composition extracted from green tea leaves. Medigene acquired the rights to the active ingredient in Veregen® from Epitome Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 1999 and was solely responsible for the drug’s successful preclinical and clinical development, as well as the approval process. Sinecatechins 15% ointment (Veregen®) is recommended as a possible option for treating genital warts in the US Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines 2010.
Laboratoires Expansciences: Since it was set up in 1950, Laboratoires Expanscience has initiated launches of innovative products on the health and well-being markets, and developed expertise in Rheumatology, Dermo-Cosmetics, Dental care, Dermatology, and Cosmetic Active Ingredients. Laboratoires Expanscience is also a leader in two specific fields. Piascledine 300 occupies a leading position in France on the market for specialized pharmaceutical products for use in rheumatology. Mustela is the leader of babycare and stretch marks markets in European pharmacies. At an international level, Laboratoires Expanscience operates through eight subsidiaries in over 78 countries covered by distributors. Expanscience had an annual turnover of 233 million euros in 2011 and had a total workforce of 885 employees.
Medigene AG is a publicly listed (Frankfurt: MDG, prime standard) biotechnology company headquartered in Martinsried/Munich, Germany. Medigene focuses on clinical research and development of novel drugs against cancer and autoimmune diseases. Medigene is the first German biotech company to have revenues from marketed products, which are distributed by partner companies. It has two drug candidates in clinical trials and is developing an innovative vaccine technology. For more information, please visit www.medigene.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements representing the opinion of Medigene as of the date of this release. The actual results achieved by Medigene may differ significantly from the forward-looking statements made herein. Medigene is not bound to update any of these forward-looking statements. Medigene® and Veregen® are registered trademarks of Medigene AG. Polyphenon E® is a trademark of Mitsui Norin Co., Ltd. These trademarks may be owned or licensed in select locations only.
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