SAN DIEGO, April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Dura)
(Nasdaq: DURA) today announced the commencement of promotion of Allergan's
(NYSE: AGN) Alocril(TM) (nedocromil sodium ophthalmic solution 2%), a
proprietary topical solution indicated for the treatment of itch associated
with allergic conjunctivitis, to primary care physicians and allergists. The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Alocril(TM) in December 1999.
In February 2000, Dura and Allergan entered into a multi-year, multi-product
alliance agreement to commercialize selected Allergan products in the U.S.
primary care and respiratory segments.
Dura's field sales force recently completed sales training on Alocril(TM)
and has now begun promoting this product to its targeted physician audiences
as the spring allergy season begins.
"Dura is very excited to be launching this unique allergy treatment to the
fastest growing audience of physician prescribers for this type of
medication," stated Robert S. Whitehead, Dura's President and Chief Operating
Officer. "The addition of Alocril(TM) to Dura's expanding product portfolio
leverages our existing field sales force as no additional investments or
expansion of the field sales force is required to promote the product. The
physician call patterns, seasonality and therapeutic indication complement
another Dura product, Nasarel(R) (flunisolide), an intranasal steroid for
people who suffer nasal allergies. As a result, Dura's sales representatives
will now deliver a complementary selling message to physicians that treat
patients suffering from both ocular and nasal allergies. In addition, we look
forward to launching a second Allergan product in the near future and to
evaluating other development stage products in Allergan's pipeline for similar
promotional activity as they are approved and reach commercialization."
"The use of Alocril(TM) and Nasarel(R) offers a complementary treatment
regimen for the allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patient, and will identify Dura
as an up and coming allergy company among physicians," stated Dr. Philip
Fireman, past president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology, and Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a San Diego based specialty pharmaceutical
company that develops, markets and sells prescription products that treat
respiratory conditions and infectious diseases. Dura focuses on acquiring
products and late-stage product development candidates that leverage the
relationships its sales and marketing organization has established with target
physician groups. Dura is developing Spiros(R), a proprietary pulmonary drug
delivery system, for the local and systemic delivery of a wide range of
medications.
Except for the historical and factual information contained herein, the
matters discussed in this press release regarding Dura or its business may
contain forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties,
including the effectiveness of our sales forces in promoting our products,
difficulties we may encounter in launching new products, our dependence on
third parties for manufacturing and development, the competitiveness of the
pharmaceutical industry, and other risks detailed from time to time in Dura's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may
differ materially from those projected. Any forward-looking statements
represent Dura's judgment as of the date of this release. Dura disclaims,
however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Further information about Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. can be found at
http://www.durapharm.com.
News releases from Dura Pharmaceuticals are available at no charge on
Dura's web site at http://www.durapharm.com and through PR Newswire's On-Call fax
service by calling (800) 758-5804, extension 197051.
SOURCE Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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http://www.durapharm.com
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http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/197051.html or fax,
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CONTACT:
Michael T. Borer, Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
858-457-2553
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