Amarin is getting all its manufacturing ducks lined up in a row as it sets the stage to debut its experimental heart drug, AMR101. With positive data from two late-stage studies in hand to support its application for its lead development program, Amarin ($AMRN) has forged new supply agreements that will help the developer launch an "aggressive" marketing campaign for the treatment--an omega 3 drug that will muscle GlaxoSmithKline's Lovaza for market share.
As Reuters notes, Amarin has discussed potential partnership deals for this drug. Now it has inked supply pacts with two active pharmaceutical ingredient makers and two encapsulators to make the product--provided regulators sign off. Amarin has zeroed in on the first half of 2012 for a launch.
"A primary 2011 goal for Amarin is to expand our global supply chain to support expected product demand, diversify our supply base and ensure cost-efficient supply. The positive ANCHOR and MARINE clinical trial results heightened the timing and urgency of achieving that goal. We believe that the addition of these suppliers position us, subject to regulatory approval, for an aggressive launch of AMR101," said Amarin CEO Joseph Zakrzewski.
AMR101, its lead drug, is designed to treat patients with very high triglycerides. Equateq Limited and Chemport signed on to provide Amarin with API for AMR101. Catalent Pharma Solutions and Banner Pharmacaps Europe will provide soft-gel encapsulation services.
- here's the Amarin release
- get the Reuters story