Nycomed’s Q3 undermined by pantoprazole decline

pharmafile | November 11, 2010 | News story | Sales and Marketing Daxas, Guangdong Techpool Bio-Pharma, Nycomed, Protium, pantoprazole 

Nycomed has seen its sales inch downwards in the third quarter, as the decline of its biggest seller pantoprazole continued.

The company’s total revenues fell 0.7% to 814.6 million euros, with falling sales of ulcer treatment pantoprazole (known as Protium in Europe) to blame for much of the decline.

The drug has been the mainstay of the company’s revenues, but lost patent protection across Europe in May 2009.

Meanwhile overall earnings decreased by nearly 24% to 217.1m euros, due in part to investments in new ventures and manufacturing in developing markets.

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Nycomed recently expanded its presence in China with the purchase of a 50% stake in Guangdong Techpool Bio-Pharma for $214m.  The company also recently expanded its manufacturing operations in India.

There was more encouraging sales news from emerging markets, including the Middle East and Asia, Russia/CIS and Latin America, where sales grew strongly.

Nycomed is looking toward new COPD treatment Daxas to lift sales. The drug was approved in Europe earlier this year, and was recently launched in Germany and the UK.

The drug’s approval in the key US market looks uncertain, however. Daxas was rejected in April by an FDA committee, but the company hopes this decision could be reversed early next year.

Brett Wells

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