CHADDS FORD, Pa., and WINNERSH, U.K., March 16, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:ENDP) and Vernalis plc (LSE:VER) (Nasdaq:VNLS) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed the companies that it will require an additional three months to review Endo's previously submitted Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Frova(r) (frovatriptan succinate) 2.5 mg tablets for the expanded indication of short-term prevention of menstrual migraine (MM). The agency now anticipates completing its review of this application on or before August 19, 2007. As previously disclosed, the original PDUFA (Prescription Drug User Fee Act) review date was May 19, 2007.
The companies noted that the FDA's request relates solely to the presentation of the data and not its content and that no additional data have been requested.
"We look forward to working with the FDA to expand Frova(r)'s indication and bring this important new prophylactic treatment for menstrual migraine to market," said Peter A. Lankau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Endo. He added that the PDUFA date extension would have no impact on Endo's 2007 financial guidance.
Important Information about Frova(r)
Frova(r) was approved by the FDA on November 8, 2001 for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura (subjective symptoms at the onset of a migraine headache) in adults. Frova(r) is generally well tolerated, with a side-effect profile that is typical of the triptan class of drugs. Frova(r) is indicated for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults where a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. Frova(r) is not intended for the prophylactic therapy of migraine or for use in the management of hemiplegic or basilar migraine. The safety and effectiveness of Frova(r) have not been established for cluster headache, which is present in an older, predominantly male population.
Frova(r) should not be given to patients with cerebrovascular syndromes, peripheral vascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, ischemic heart disease, or to patients who have symptoms or findings consistent with ischemic heart disease, coronary artery vasospasm, including Prinzmetal's variant angina or other significant underlying cardiovascular disease. Frova(r) should not be given to patients within whom unrecognized coronary artery disease is predicted by the presence of risk factors without a prior cardiovascular evaluation.
The most common adverse events (greater than, or equal to 4%) include dizziness, fatigue, paresthesia, flushing, and headache.
The FDA-approved dosing for Frova(r) is one 2.5 mg tablet up to three times within a 24-hour period. Frova(r) is not currently approved by the FDA for any indications other than for the treatment of acute migraine headaches, and its safety and efficacy in other indications have not been established.
About Endo
Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc. is a fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company with market leadership in pain management products. Through its wholly owned Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. subsidiary, the company researches, develops, produces and markets a broad product offering of both branded and generic pharmaceuticals, meeting the needs of healthcare professionals and consumers alike. More information, including this and past press releases of Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc., is available online at www.endo.com.
About Vernalis
Vernalis is a speciality bio-pharmaceutical company focused on products marketed to specialist neurologists. The company has two marketed products, Frova(r) and Apokyn(r), and a development pipeline focused on central nervous system disorders. The company has eight products in registration/clinical development and collaborations with leading, global pharmaceutical companies including Novartis, Biogen Idec and Serono. Vernalis has established a U.S. commercial operation to promote Apokyn(r) and co-promote Frova(r) alongside its North American licensing partner, Endo Pharmaceuticals, progressing the company towards its goal of becoming a sustainable, self-funding, R&D-driven, speciality bio-pharmaceutical company. For further information about Vernalis, please visit: www.vernalis.com
Endo Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are based on management's beliefs and assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements which are preceded by, followed by, or that include, the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects" or similar expressions and statements are forward-looking statements. Endo's estimated or anticipated future results, product performance or other non- historical facts are forward-looking and reflect Endo's current perspective on existing trends and information. Many of the factors that will determine the Company's future results are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and, therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The reader should not rely on any forward-looking statement. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Several important factors, in addition to the specific factors discussed in connection with these forward-looking statements individually, could affect the future results of Endo and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that may affect future results include, but are not limited to: market acceptance of the Company's products and the impact of competitive products and pricing; dependence on sole source suppliers; the success of the Company's product development activities and the timeliness with which regulatory authorizations and product launches may be achieved; successful compliance with extensive, costly, complex and evolving governmental regulations and restrictions; the availability on commercially reasonable terms of raw materials and other third party manufactured products; exposure to product liability and other lawsuits and contingencies; dependence on third party suppliers, distributors and collaboration partners; the ability to timely and cost effectively integrate acquisitions; uncertainty associated with pre- clinical studies and clinical trials and regulatory approval; uncertainty of market acceptance of new products; the difficulty of predicting FDA approvals; risks with respect to technology and product development; the effect of competing products and prices; uncertainties regarding intellectual property protection; uncertainties as to the outcome of litigation; changes in operating results; impact of competitive products and pricing; product development; changes in laws and regulations; customer demand; possible future litigation; availability of future financing and reimbursement policies of government and private health insurers and others; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Endo's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2007. Readers should evaluate any statement in light of these important factors.
Vernalis Forward-Looking Statement
This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events including the clinical development and regulatory approval of the Company's products, the Company's ability to find partners for the development and commercialisation of its products, as well as the Company's future capital raising activities. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors including the success of the Company's research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the ability of the Company to identify and agree beneficial terms with suitable partners for the commercialisation and/or development of its products, as well as the achievement of expected synergies from such transactions, the acceptance of Frova(r) and Apokyn(r) and other products by consumers and medical professionals, the successful integration of completed mergers and acquisitions and achievement of expected synergies from such transactions, and the ability of the Company to identify and consummate suitable strategic and business combination transactions.