Meda announces acquisition of NSAID-PPI combination

Meda has announced that it has acquired the marketing rights from Ethypharm to the first combination of ketoprofen and omeprazole.

Omeprazole is an acid-reducing proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that protects against mucosal injury, while Ketoprofen is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used primarily to treat patients with rheumatic conditions.

Under the terms of the 15-year marketing agreement covering most European markets, including the UK and Germany, Meda will pay Ethypharm an initial payment of two million euros (1.3 million pounds), with further payments of up to five million euros following the attainment of specific sales and regulatory landmarks.

The licensed product consists of a unique one-dose orally-administered capsule containing sustained-release granulate formulation of ketoprofen and enteric-coated granulate formulation of omeprazole.

Anders Lonner, chief executive officer of Meda, said: “This new product will greatly aid patients who currently need two medications to avoid side effects from using NSAIDs”

He added that the agreement with Ethypharm has cemented the place held by Meda in the market for high-priority pain and inflammation treatments.

Last month, Meda announced the purchase of a product portfolio from Wyeth consisting of ten pharmaceuticals for the reported sum of SEK 525 million (39.2 million pounds).