Wyeth starts distributing BeneFix in Europe

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has announced that it has taken on the commercialisation and distribution rights to BeneFix coagulation factor XI (recombinant) in Europe.

This announcement follows the end of a ten-year distribution rights deal between Genetics Institute – a company acquired by Wyeth in 1996 – and Baxter Healthcare, which terminated on June 30th this year.

Employees at both firms have cooperated to guarantee a smooth handover of responsibility and prevent any lapse in supply of the compound to patients.

BeneFix is a compound indicated for haemophilia B patients requiring prevention and control of haemorrhagic episodes, including during surgical settings.

Cavan Redmond, executive vice-president and general manager of the biopharma business unit at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, said: “We are pleased to broaden Wyeth’s range of therapeutic offerings for the haemophilia community in Europe.”

He added that the company intends on introducing convenience improvements to the drug later in 2007, subject to approval from regulatory bodies in Europe.

The company received a positive opinion for a number of enhancements to improve the convenience of BeneFix in May 2007, including a pre-filled diluent syringe, 5 ml diluent volume for all dosage strengths, a 2000 U dosage strength vial and needleless reconstitution device.

Last month, Wyeth launched a new training tool designed to aid haemophilia sufferers in their bid to learn new techniques of self-infusion to control the condition.