Apricus Biosciences, Inc.
13.07.2012 16:03
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SAN DIEGO, 2012-07-13 16:03 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Apricus Biosciences, Inc. ('Apricus Bio') (Nasdaq:APRI) (www.apricusbio.com)
today announced the closing of its agreement to own Finesco, the French parent
and holding company of Scomedica, a leading French healthcare contract sales
and marketing organization, by way of a share contribution. Finesco and
Scomedica will operate as wholly-owned subsidiaries of Apricus Bio.
Under the terms of the agreement, Finesco's existing shareholders contributed
to Apricus Bio 100% of the outstanding common stock of Finesco in exchange for
2,592,592 newly issued shares of Apricus Bio common stock valued at [Eur]7
million
($8.8 million USD) at the closing. Additional, newly issued shares worth
approximately [Eur]1.8 ($2.3 million USD) are due in the first quarter of 2013
if
Scomedica achieves certain revenue milestones during 2012.
'The closing of this transaction marks an important milestone for Apricus Bio
and our long-term commercial strategy in Europe,' said Dr. Bassam Damaj,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Apricus Bio. 'Beginning with our lead
product, Vitaros(r), we expect to explore registration and/or commercialization
of our other pipeline products, including Granisol(r), NitroMist(tm),
Femprox(r) and
MycoVa(tm), in the French market, realizing each product's full commercial
potential in one of the largest markets in Europe. We will also use this
platform to expand our commercial operations into all of Europe, building a
revenue base that, we expect, will create significant value for our
shareholders over the long-term.'
About Vitaros(r)
Vitaros(r) is a topically delivered formulation of alprostadil combined with
Dodecyl 2-N, N-(dimethylamino)-propionate hydrochloride (DDAIP HCl), Apricus'
proprietary NexACT(r) drug delivery technology, for the treatment of ED. When
absorbed through the skin, alprostadil, a vasodilator, directly boosts blood
flow, thereby causing an erection.
Vitaros(r) differs from oral medications in two ways. First, it is applied
locally, directly to the penis as a cream, instead of administered orally and
absorbed systemically. This topical application helps to reduce side effects
and provides men who cannot take the existing oral medications a
patient-friendly alternative. Second, clinical studies have shown that
Vitaros(r)
works on average in approximately fifteen minutes, compared to a reported onset
time of thirty minutes, or longer, for oral medications.
About FINESCO/Scomedica
FINESCO is the French holding company of Scomedica. Scomedica is a leading
French pharmaceutical sales and marketing company specializing in product
positioning, product launch, marketing and sales for primary care physicians
and specialists. Scomedica has been leading successful pharmaceutical sales
campaigns in France for nearly twenty years and is located near Paris, France.
About Apricus Biosciences, Inc.
Apricus Bio is a San Diego-based revenue-generating pharmaceutical company,
with commercial products and a broad pipeline across numerous therapeutic
classes.
Revenues and growth are driven from the sales of the Company's commercial
products through its Apricus Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and NexMed (U.S.A.),
Inc. subsidiaries and through out-licensing in certain territories of its
product pipeline and NexACT(r) technology.
Apricus Bio's current NexACT(r) pipeline includes Vitaros(r), approved in Canada
for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, as well as compounds in development
from pre-clinical through pre-registration currently focused on Sexual
Dysfunction, Oncology, Dermatology, Autoimmune, Pain, Anti-Infectives, Diabetes
and Consumer Healthcare.
Apricus Bio currently markets Totect(r) (dexrazoxane HCl), the only drug
approved
in the US for the treatment of anthracycline extravasation and Granisol(r)
(granisetron HCI) oral solution, the only FDA-approved, oral, ready-to-use
liquid solution of granisetron. The Company also plans to market in the U.S. or
certain other countries Aquoral(tm), an FDA-cleared, prescription-only spray for
the treatment of Xerostomia (the medical term for dry mouth due to a lack of
saliva) and NitroMist(tm) (nitroglycerin sublingual spray), an FDA-approved
nitrate vasodilator indicated for acute relief of an attack or acute
prophylaxis of angina pectoris (chest pain) due to coronary artery disease
(narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart).
The Company also expects to develop and/or acquire and then bring to market
additional pharmaceutical products in areas of care that will benefit patient
needs worldwide.
For further information on Apricus Bio, visit http://www.apricusbio.com, and
for information on its subsidiary please visit http://www.nexmedusa.com. You
can also receive information at http://twitter.com/apricusbio.
Apricus Bio's Forward-Looking Statement Safe Harbor
Statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended: with
the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the
matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein
described for a variety of reasons that are outside the control of the Company,
including, but not limited to, its ability to successfully integrate Finesco
and Scomedica into the Company and further develop its products and product
candidates, to have its products and product candidates such as Vitaros(r),
Femprox(r) and MycoVa(tm) receive patent protection and be approved by relevant
regulatory authorities, to successfully commercialize such products as
Totect(r),
Granisol(r), Aquoral(tm) and NitroMist(tm) and NexACT(r) product candidates and
drug
delivery technology and to achieve its development, commercialization and
financial goals. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements as actual results could differ materially from the
forward-looking statements contained herein. Readers are urged to read the risk
factors set forth in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K,
subsequent quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q and other filings made with the
SEC. Copies of these reports are available from the SEC's website or without
charge from the Company.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an
offer to buy any securities. The shares to be issued by Apricus Biosciences,
and any shares it may issue to the former Finesco shareholders in the future,
will not be, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, but rather have been or will be issued pursuant to exemptions from the
registration provisions of such Act. The shares may not be re-offered or resold
in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from
registration requirements.
CONTACT: Apricus Bio Investor Relations:David PittsArgot
Partners212-600-1902david@argotpartners.com
News Source: NASDAQ OMX
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Language: English
Company: Apricus Biosciences, Inc.
United States
Phone:
Fax:
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Internet:
ISIN: US9901429525
WKN:
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DGAP-News: Apricus Biosciences Announces Closing of Finesco-Scomedica Transaction
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