Novo Nordisk reaches exclusive agreement to market Vagifem 10 mcg

Novo Nordisk Inc. today announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. to market Vagifem® (estradiol vaginal tablets) 10 mcg.  Under the terms of the agreement, Upsher-Smith will exclusively market Vagifem® 10 mcg to physicians in the U.S. beginning August 2 through the company's existing field sales force.

Novo Nordisk introduced Vagifem® 10 mcg to the U.S. market earlier this year.  The new dose replaces Vagifem® 25 mcg dose, which was discontinued on July 30, 2010.

"This partnership with Upsher-Smith supports the launch and conversion of the U.S. market to Vagifem® 10 mcg," said Eddie Williams, Vice President of Biopharmaceuticals at Novo Nordisk.  "Leveraging Upsher-Smith's experienced sales force, we are able to maintain our commitment to patient care and the medical community by making sure that physicians are aware of Vagifem® 10 mcg for treating menopausal women with symptoms of atrophic vaginitis."

"The alignment of our two organizations and our products, which offer low-dose estrogen treatments for menopausal women, make this a unique partnership opportunity," said Tom Burke, Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations at Upsher-Smith.  "The combined history of our two companies offers more than two centuries of experience bringing meaningful pharmaceutical products to the marketplace."

Financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.