BALTIMORE, MD – June 6, 2002
Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: GLFD) announced today that it has granted exclusive rights to Orphan Australia Pty. Ltd. to market, sell and distribute its proprietary brain cancer implant, GLIADEL® Implants in Australia and New Zealand. GLIADEL® Implants are currently approved for use in 24 countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia, to treat recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of primary malignant brain cancer.
"Our agreement with Orphan Australia opens up an important new market for GLIADEL® Implants internationally, and supports Guilford’s objective of expanding ex-U.S. sales of the product by establishing a network of international partners in key global healthcare markets," remarked David P. Wright, President and Chief Business Officer of Guilford. "In addition to our agreement with Orphan Australia, we’ve also signed distribution agreements for GLIADEL® Implants with Medison Pharma Ltd. in Israel and Healthquest Pharma Ltd. in China and Hong Kong, and expect to sign additional agreements over the next several months for the distribution of GLIADEL® Implants in Europe."
"GLIADEL® Implants are an important addition to our portfolio of marketed products, which complements our strategic and therapeutic focus in specialty hospital products," said Alastair Young, Managing Director of Orphan Australia. "With our Company’s specialized expertise targeting niche segments of the hospital market, Orphan Australia is well positioned to provide the necessary marketing support to launch GLIADEL® Implants in this territory."
About GLIADEL® Implants
GLIADEL® Implants utilize Guilford’s proprietary biodegradable polymer technology platform that is specifically designed to deliver chemotherapy at consistent levels for extended time periods. When implanted at the time of surgery, the polymer device delivers its therapeutic benefit directly to the tumor site, minimizing drug exposure to other areas of the body. GLIADEL® Implants complement other standard therapies for brain cancer, such as surgery, radiation and traditional intravenous chemotherapy.
Guilford Pharmaceuticals is a fully integrated pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the neurological and hospital markets.
Orphan Australia, a privately owned pharmaceutical company based in Melbourne, specializes in the development, marketing and distribution of products typically used by specialists to treat serious and/or life threatening disorders. Orphan Australia is part of an international network of Orphan pharmaceutical companies.
Contact: Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Stacey Jurchison
410.631.5022 | | Orphan Australia Pty. Ltd.
Gennaro D’Alessandro
(03) 9769 5744 |
