Hospira Announces U.S. Launch of Imipenem-Cilastatin for Injection, I.V.

By Mark Hollmer Nov 18, 2011 3:09pm

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), the world's leading provider of injectable drugs and infusion technologies, today announced the U.S. launch of imipenem-cilastatin for injection, I.V., the first generic version of this key antibiotic to become available in the United States. The medication, a carbapenem that belongs to the beta-lactam class of antibiotics, is a generic version of Merck's Primaxin®, which had 2010 U.S. sales of approximately $140 million.

Hospira's imipenem-cilastatin will be available in 250 mg and 500 mg flip-top vials.

"Hospira's imipenem-cilastatin is our second carbapenem on the U.S. market, demonstrating Hospira's dedication to providing generic alternatives in this important category of antibiotics," said Joshua Gordon, vice president/general manager, Specialty Pharmaceuticals, Hospira. "Hospira is committed to continuing to reduce the cost of healthcare by providing savings with first-to-market generic injectables."

Last year, Hospira launched meropenem, the first generic carbapenem on the U.S. market. Carbapenem antibiotics have a U.S. market value of approximately $600 million, based on IMS Health data. Hospira already sells imipenem-cilastatin in Europe, Japan and several other countries.

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 presentations, several of which are proprietary, such as ADD-Vantage^TM drug delivery system and iSecure^TM prefilled syringes. Therapeutic areas include analgesia, anesthesia, anti-infectives, cardiovascular, oncology, emergency and other areas. Hospira also has robust pipelines of both generic and biosimilar drugs.

About Hospira

Hospira, Inc. is the world's leading provider of injectable drugs and infusion technologies. Through its broad, integrated portfolio, Hospira is uniquely positioned to Advance Wellness^TM by improving patient and caregiver safety while reducing healthcare costs. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has approximately 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 statements regarding the growth opportunities for generic specialty injectable products. 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, legal, regulatory, technological, manufacturing supply, quality 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 and Forms 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are 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.
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