Melbourne, Australia, 3 July 2009 – SLA Pharma AG, a privately owned Swiss company specializing in gastrointestinal diseases, and Orphan Australia Pty Ltd. (Orphan), an Australian specialty pharmaceutical company, have signed a licensing agreement where S.L.A. Pharma grants the exclusive right to Orphan for marketing and sales of metronidazole ointment for the proposed indication of treating symptoms associated with perianal Crohn’s disease. Under the Agreement, Orphan will be responsible for registration, sales and marketing of the product in Australia and New Zealand.
Metronidazole ointment is currently under development and will enter into phase 3 registration trials this year. As part of the Agreement between the two companies, Orphan will be responsible for recruitment of patients from around Australia to participate in the registration trials.
Metronidazole ointment is being developed as an alternative to oral metronidazole for the treatment of the symptoms associated with perianal Crohn's disease. Perianal Crohn's disease is one of the most problematic conditions in colorectal practice. The condition is usually chronic, debilitating, and frequently refractory to current medications. Failure to respond to medical therapy may ultimately result in removal of the bowel and rectum. There is a high, unmet need for an effective medical treatment with a favourable safety profile.
“We are delighted to have formed this important new partnership with S.L.A. Pharma and look forward to the successful completion of the clinical trial. Metronidazole ointment will complement the other products Orphan promotes to gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons and will continue Orphan’s mission of bringing medicines that treat serious or life-threatening conditions where treatment choice is limited or inadequate” commented Keith Jeffs, General Manager of Orphan Australia Pty Ltd.
“This licensing agreement will enable Metronidazole ointment to be successfully marketed by a company who already has a good relationship with the target audience” said Justin Slagel, CEO of SLA Pharma.
Enquiries:
S.L.A. Pharma
Justin Slagel, Chief Executive Officer, Tel +44 1923 681 001
Orphan Australia Pty Ltd.
Gennaro D’Alessandro, Manager, Business Development
Tel. +61 3 9769 5744
