* ONY's Neonatal U.S. Approved Drug Infasurf to Treat Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Premature Infants In-Licensed * Marketing and Sales Rights Granted for Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Albania, Egypt and Syria
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 22, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMEX:LIV), a developer of innovative drugs, is pleased to announce that it has signed an exclusive license for the marketing and sales of U.S. approved Infasurf (calfactant), a specialist medication used to treat and prevent respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. Under this agreement, Samaritan has obtained exclusive rights to sell Infasurf in Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Albania, Egypt and Syria. The cumulative population of these countries is greater than 180 million people.
Infasurf is successfully marketed and sold in the United States by Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:FRX) and is manufactured by ONY Inc., a U.S. drug development company and a pioneer in the field of Surfactant research. The decision to license the exclusive rights to Infasurf to Samaritan was based on the expertise of the Samaritan team and their proven track record in regulatory affairs and in the marketing and sales of specialty products in Eastern Europe. Samaritan will register Infasurf with the health authorities in the licensed countries.
Infasurf is a specialist medication used to treat and prevent respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), a lung condition that can occur in prematurely born infants whose lungs have not completely developed. RDS occurs when infants lack surfactant, a natural substance normally produced in the body, which is necessary for lungs to function normally.
Infasurf is a bovine-derived, natural surfactant. Its unique advantages include a high concentration of Surfactant Proteins -- and in particular Surfactant Protein Type B (SP-B). SP-B is vital for normal lung function (babies genetically lacking SP-B die soon after birth). Infasurf is approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment or prevention of Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
In composition, Infasurf is the closest surfactant to natural surfactant. Infasurf contains approximately 2% proteins (0.7% SP-B) as well as DPPC, Cholesterol and other surface-active agents. Its benefits are,
* Infasurf is fast acting and excellent value for money. * Infasurf can be administered by either side port or catheter. * Infasurf is derived from cattle and thus contains no pork or pig products and is thus not objectionable to Muslims. * Infasurf has been used in over 100,000 infants.
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