Allergan CEO: Would Consider Expanded Agreement On Levadex
February 02 2011 - 2:08PM
Dow Jones News
Allergan Inc. (AGN) would consider an expanded agreement with
Map Pharmaceuticals Inc. (MAPP) to help Map sell its migraine
treatment Levadex to a broader market, Allergan's chief executive
said Wednesday.
Allergan on Monday said it agreed to pay Map up to $157 million
to jointly promote Levadex to U.S. specialists, and then share
profits. The deal focuses on U.S. neurologists and pain specialists
and doesn't cover sales to U.S. primary-care doctors or
international sales.
Map indicated it could still look for partners to reach those
markets for the drug, which is still experimental and requires
regulatory approval. Asked Wednesday if Allergan could get involved
more deeply, Chief Executive David E.I. Pyott said
"absolutely."
The key for Allergan may be expanding its own reach with top
product Botox, which won Food and Drug Administration approval last
year for treatment of frequent, chronic migraines. The company,
which also has U.K. approval, is targeting specialists but
researching the market for primary-care physicians, Pyott said.
It's also seeking broader international approval.
"We like to do things in stages, step by step," Pyott said in an
interview. "The next steps for us of course is getting Botox for
migraines approved all over the world."
The Map product uses an inhaler to deliver an existing migraine
drug when needed for at-home treatment. The company plans to file a
U.S. application in the first half this year. Levadex is targeted
at less frequent migraine headaches, which differs from the Botox
market for frequent cases.
Allergan shares recently traded down 0.6% to $70.89. The Botox
maker issued an earnings estimate for the year that is lower than
what Wall Street had forecast.
-By Jon Kamp, Dow Jones Newswires; 617-654-6728;
jon.kamp@dowjones.com
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