ASIAN FIRMS SIGN AGREEMENTS TO DISTRIBUTE DEBIOPHARM'S SANVAR

Biopharmaceutical company Debiopharm has announced the signing of exclusive license agreements for the marketing of Sanvar in Asia. Sanvar is for the treatment of acute esophageal variceal bleeding. The agreements involve Ranbaxy Laboratories to distribute in India, Bangladesh and Nepal and LG Life Sciences to distribute in Korea.

The company also has agreements with companies in Israel and Brazil, and it is seeking partnerships with countries in Europe.

Sanvar (vapreotide acetate) is a synthetic octapeptide analogue of the naturally occurring somatostatin hormone. It is the only somatostatin analog to demonstrate statistically significant benefits in the early treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding in association with endoscopic therapy in a placebo-controlled clinical study. Sanvar can be stored at room temperature, an advantage over other products requiring refrigeration, allowing immediate administration, a key benefit in a life-threatening situation. It has been granted orphan drug status in the U.S., where a Phase III clinical trial was initiated earlier this year.