Cephalon and Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ North American divisions have entered into a deal that has more than doubled the size of the sales force promoting Cephalon’s narcolepsy treatment Provigil. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Under the agreement, 500 Takeda sales reps would begin promoting Provigil in mid-July to health professionals in the US. The deal pushes up the total number of Provigil reps to 900.
The agreement will last three years with an option to renew annually. Cephalon retains responsibility for Provigil’s development, manufacture, distribution and sale, while both Cephalon and Takeda will jointly manage promotion.

Cephalon can also use Takeda’s sales force for promotion of Nuvigil (armodafinil), currently awaiting FDA approval to treat excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

Sales of Provigil reached nearly $600 million in 2005, according to Cephalon.