SAN DIEGO, June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Dura)
(Nasdaq: DURA) today announced that it will launch Allergan, Inc.'s
(NYSE: AGN) Ocuflox(R) (ofloxacin ophthalmic solution) 0.3%, a proprietary
topical solution indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis and
corneal ulcers, to primary care physicians beginning next week. The
combination of proven efficacy and safety has made Ocuflox(R) the number one
prescribed anti-infective for the treatment of ocular infections in the
ophthalmology segment. The ocular anti-infective market in the U.S. was over
$200 million in 1999, a 23% increase over 1998. In February, Dura and
Allergan entered into a multi-year, multi-product alliance agreement to
commercialize selected Allergan products in the U.S. to primary care and
selected other physician specialty segments. In March, Dura commenced the
promotion of the first product under the segment alliance agreement,
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.
"We are very excited to be launching Ocuflox(R) ophthalmic solution to
primary care physicians, a rapidly growing audience of prescribers for this
type of medication," stated Robert S. Whitehead, Dura's President and Chief
Operating Officer. "Ocuflox(R) is the second product to be launched this year
under our segment alliance agreement with Allergan. Alocril(TM), launched in
late March, has experienced rapid growth as we have significantly increased
the percentage of total prescriptions written by our targeted physician
groups. Like Alocril(TM) ophthalmic solution, Ocuflox(R) leverages our
existing field sales force capacity and synergistically fits with our
therapeutic focus, our targeted physician base and the seasonality of our
pharmaceutical product portfolio. The addition of Ocuflox(R) ophthalmic
solution to Dura's pharmaceutical product portfolio is expected to be neutral
to earnings in 2000 and accretive beginning in 2001. With these two Allergan
products now in our growing portfolio of proprietary brands, we look forward
to evaluating other development stage products in Allergan's pipeline."
"We have been very pleased with Dura's successful launch and promotion of
Alocril(TM) to the primary care and allergy segments," said David E.I. Pyott,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Allergan. "We look forward to the
successful launch of Ocuflox(R) with Dura and the opportunity for Allergan and
Dura to evaluate jointly our other products in development for potential
promotion by Dura's superb sales organization."
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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CONTACT:
Michael T. Borer, Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
858-457-2553
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