Pfizer selects Alliance Pharma as UK product partner

Pfizer has agreed to sell the UK marketing rights for three dermatology drugs to Wiltshire-based Alliance Pharma.

Alliance will transfer manufacturing responsibilities and reformulate the antihistamine Atarax, topical combination steroid Terracortril and Deltacortril, an oral steroid.

Terracortril has not been sold in the UK for the last 18 months but Alliance plans to relaunch it after its return had apparently been called for by clinicians who use it in specialised burns centres.

Deltacortril has a “mature sales profile” and is used for a wide-range of uses, while sales of Atarax are growing at 11 per cent each year. Combined, Deltacortil and Atarax bring in sales of 2.8 million pounds each year.

Alliance Pharma’s chief executive, John Dawson, remarked: “These are important medicines and we are pleased to be able to ensure their continued availability via our process of manufacturing optimisation.”

“In addition to treating skin conditions two of these three products treat other indications and we look forward also to serving those treatment areas,” he added.

Pfizer UK’s head of business development concluded: ” Pfizer has a commitment to partnering with organisations to deliver healthcare benefits. We are very pleased to partner with Alliance on Atarax, Deltacortril and Terracortril as their strategic focus will ensure a wide range of patients will continue to benefit from these medicines.”

“As the world’s leading pharmaceutical company, we are happy to support an emerging British company,” he stated.

Alliance Pharma reported sales of 12.28 million pounds in 2005. It focuses on UK and Irish markets but has recently undergone an international expansion following recent acquisitions.

The company employs 31 people and is listed in London on AIM.

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