-- Has Tentative FDA Approval and Expects Final Approval Shortly --
LAKE FOREST, Ill., June 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hospira, Inc. (NYSE:
HSP), the world leader in generic injectable pharmaceuticals, today announced
that the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey has granted
summary judgment of non-infringement in Hospira's favor with regard to Sanofi
Aventis' chemotherapy medication Eloxatin(R), and that Hospira has tentative
approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its generic
version of the product. Hospira expects full FDA approval shortly.
Hospira's version of Eloxatin, which goes by the generic name oxaliplatin
injection, will be one of the first generic versions available in the United
States to come in solution form. U.S. sales of Eloxatin last year were
approximately $1.4 billion.
"We are extremely pleased with the court's ruling," said Joshua Gordon,
vice president, Specialty Pharmaceuticals, Hospira. "The launch of Hospira's
oxaliplatin injection will provide a high-quality, lower-cost alternative to
patients, and is another example of Hospira working to meet patient and
caregiver needs in the fast-growing oncology market."
Hospira's specialty injectable pharmaceuticals (SIP) offering includes
approximately 200 generic injectable drugs in many dosages and formulations.
In addition, many of its products are available in popular differentiated
formats, several of which are proprietary, such as its ADD-Vantage Drug
Delivery System and iSecure(R) prefilled syringes. Therapeutic segments
include anesthesia, anti-infectives, analgesics, cardiovascular, oncology,
emergency and other areas. Hospira has approximately 25 generic drugs
scheduled to launch in various regions around the world in 2009 and 2010.
About Hospira
Hospira, Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery
company dedicated to Advancing Wellness(TM). As the world leader in specialty
generic injectable pharmaceuticals, Hospira offers one of the broadest
portfolios of generic acute-care and oncology injectables, as well as
integrated infusion therapy and medication management solutions. Through its
products, Hospira helps improve the safety, cost and productivity of patient
care. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has more than
14,000 employees. Learn more at www.hospira.com.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 --
A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including projections
of certain measures of Hospira's results of operations, projections of certain
charges and expenses, and other statements regarding Hospira's goals and
strategy. Hospira cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject
to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially
from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive,
governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Hospira's
operations and may cause actual results to be materially different from
expectations include the risks, uncertainties and factors discussed under the
headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" in Hospira's latest Annual Report on Form
10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is incorporated
by reference. Hospira undertakes no obligation to release publicly any
revisions to forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or
developments.
SOURCE Hospira, Inc.
CONTACT:
Media, Dan Rosenberg,
+1-224-212-3366,
or
Financial Community,
Karen King,
+1-224-212-2711,
both of Hospira, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.hospira.com
(HSP)