Novartis, Luitpold ink agreement

Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc.s Animal Health Division has forged an agreement with Novartis Animal Health US to market Adequan Canine (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan). The agreement enables Novartis to market, sell and support the drug in the United States through its existing sales force.Adequan Canine is indicated for the control of signs associated with non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic arthritis of canine synovial joints. This partnership will benefit both companies significantly, says Jean Bellin, vice president of Luitpold Animal Health. Novartis has developed a strong canine franchise, and its sales organization does an outstanding job of providing top quality medical information to the 30,000 small animal clinics in the U.S.Bellin adds, On the other hand, at Luitpold, we have been concentrating on building our equine franchise. This arrangement enables us to better focus on the equine business, which continues to be our true specialty. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified Adequan Canine as a disease-modifying osteoarthritic drug, the only such drug in this category. It promotes the synthesis of cartilage matrix components, retards the release of destructive enzymes, decreases synovial inflammation, restores synovial fluid content to normal levels and relieves pain.

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