Novartis buys Pfizer incontinence drug

pharmafile | October 29, 2003 | News story | |   

Novartis has bought Pfizer's incontinence product Enablex ahead of the US giant's merger with Pharmacia.

The drug is one of several that the merging companies must divest to satisfy regulatory authorities, with GlaxoSmithKline recently tipped to buy it.

The speed with which Pfizer wants to finish the merger has meant Novartis was able to strike a bargain price $225 million given that peak sales of the drug have been estimated could reach $1 billion.

Between 50 and 200 million people are thought to suffer from bladder control problems, the most common being overactive bladder, for which Enablex (darifenacin) is indicated. The current market leader is Pharmacia Detrusitol, with 2002 sales of $757 million.

"The overactive bladder market is growing 30% a year worldwide, but today many potential patients are not treated," said Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO of Novartis. "Enablex is an important therapy that could help. Our strength in primary care and experience in patient education programs has given us considerable insight into how to reach patients and their physicians to increase understanding and provide new treatment options."

A new drug application for Enablex was filed in December, with European and US approval expected in 2004.

Related Content

No items found

Latest content