Forest Laboratories signs deal for Biogaia distribution in the UK

Swedish-based Biogaia has signed a distribution deal with Forest Laboratories Europe.

The agreement will allow Forest to market Biogaia’s pediatric Reuteri Drops in the UK and Ireland. Designed for infants, the treatment was shown to improve a number of stomach problems including colic in clinical trials.

Reuteri Drops are expected to launch in the UK sometime during 2006, although the company gave no specific dates.

BioGaia’s managing director Peter Rothschild said: “With Forest’s strong marketing organisation and its well established products for children we have found an excellent partner that can market the Reuteri Drops in an important market.”

Raymond Stafford, CEO of Forest Europe, said: “Our market research has shown that there is a strong need for a natural product of this kind for infants with stomach problems.” He added that the firms may work together on future products but did not elaborate further.

Forrest Europe’s US parent recently entered the news after it obtained an extended patent for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Lexapro, used to treat sufferers of generalised anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.

The patent term now runs until 2012.

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