Astrazeneca extends manufacturing agreement with Sumitomo pharmaceuticals to boost merrem/meronem world-wide supply
ASTRAZENECA EXTENDS MANUFACTURING AGREEMENT WITH SUMITOMO PHARMACEUTICALS TO BOOST 'MERREM/MERONEM' WORLD-WIDE SUPPLY AstraZeneca has extended an existing agreement with Sumitomo to significantly increase production for AstraZeneca's ultra-broad-spectrum antibiotic meropenem, known commercially as 'Merrem' and 'Meronem'. As a result of the agreement, the overall supply of 'Merrem/Meronem' is expected to double by 2003, with immediate supply in 2000 expected to increase by 40 per cent. The new agreement comes at a time when there is a strong world-wide demand in hospitals for potent antibiotics to counter multi-resistant bacterial strains. 'Merrem/Meronem' is an antibiotic which is effective in combating many of the multi-resistant bacteria that can lead to serious bacterial infection. According to preliminary results from an international microbiology study known as the MYSTIC study, 'Merrem/Meronem' has been shown to have a significantly low resistance potential when compared to many other intravenous antibiotics used in the hospital setting. The new manufacturing agreement between AstraZeneca and Sumitomo is a proactive attempt to respond to increased world-wide demand for potent antibiotics with low resistance profiles. According to Simon Barter, Vice President of Marketing, Infection, of AstraZeneca, "The increasing call for effective antibiotics to treat serious and life-threatening infections in the hospital setting, combined with the excellent clinical profile for 'Merrem/Meronem' in treating certain multi-resistant strains of bacteria, means that we needed to respond to the demand for this product from hospital physicians." It is estimated that the global market for pharmaceuticals to treat serious infection in hospitals was worth approximately $4 billion (USD) in 1999, accounting for more than 10 per cent of overall market share among prescription antibiotics. 'Merrem/Meronem' sales in 1999 were reported at $153 million (USD), an increase of 29 per cent over 1998 figures, and this figure is again expected to rise in 2000 as the overall demand in hospitals for carbapenem antibiotics continues to climb. 'Merrem/Meronem' is an ultra-broad spectrum carbapenem antibiotic that has been developed jointly by AstraZeneca and Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co. and is marketed by AstraZeneca in all major markets except Japan and some Pacific rim countries. The new manufacturing agreement supplements existing production capacity in response to an anticipated increase in market demand and reflects AstraZeneca's ongoing commitment to ensure that a reliable and adequate supply of 'Merrem/Meronem' continues to reach the marketplace. Further enquiries to: Staffan Ternby, tel: 08-553 261 07 Lucy Williams, tel: +44 (0)20 7304 5034 'Merrem' and 'Meronem' are trade marks of the AstraZeneca group of companies ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/05/31/20000531BIT00430/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/05/31/20000531BIT00430/bit0002.pdf