Endo Pharmaceuticals has entered into a licensing agreement with Novartis to obtain the exclusive US marketing rights for the prescription medicine Voltaren Gel (diclofenac sodium topical gel) 1%.
Endo said it expects to commercialize Voltaren Gel initially using one of its two specialty sales forces, consisting of 160 reps, prior to executing a full physician launch in late May, with an additional 275 contract sales representatives targeting primary care physicians who prescribe NSAIDs and Cox-2s.
Voltaren Gel received FDA approval in October 2007, being granted marketing exclusivity in the US as a prescription medicine at least until October 2010.
Endo estimates US peak annual sales for Voltaren Gel as an osteoarthritis pain treatment in the range of $250-300 million.
Under the terms of the five-year agreement with Novartis, Endo will make an upfront cash payment of $85 million.
Novartis is also eligible to receive a one-time milestone payment of $25 million if annual sales exceed $300 million. Under the deal, Novartis will receive royalties on the net sales of Voltaren Gel in the US and will supply this product to Endo.
