Validus Pharmaceuticals acquires bipolar drug Equetro from Shire

Validus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced that it has acquired the unique Bipolar Disorder treatment, Equetro(R) (carbamazepine) extended release capsules, from Shire plc.

EQUETRO(R) is a treatment for the acute manic and mixed episodes associated with Bipolar-1 Disorder -- a condition where patients experience extended periods of exaggerated highs in addition to the extended lows commonly associated with Bipolar Disorder. Equetro's patented advanced drug delivery technology also provides patients with the convenience of twice-daily dosing.

"This is a watershed moment in the commercialization of Validus Pharmaceuticals" stated James Hunter, Validus President & CEO. "Equetro(R) provides mental health professionals with an important treatment option in the management of Bipolar Disorder. Equetro(R) also fits well within our growing product portfolio which includes Marplan(R) (isocarboxazid), the classic MAO- inhibitor for treatment-resistant depression."

Validus Pharmaceuticals will begin active promotion of Equetro(R) during the U.S. Psychiatric & Mental Health Congress -- one of the nation's largest gatherings of mental health professionals -- in Orlando, FL in early October.

Validus Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company founded in Parsippany, NJ in 2007 to serve the unmet needs of patients with central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The company pursues this mission with targeted and focused marketing efforts and active acquisition and in-licensing programs aimed at underutilized CNS products that have important future potential. Validus is a portfolio company of the Konanda Pharma Fund I, L.P. in New York City.