LEXINGTON, Mass., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDEV) today commented on the announcement by Bayer Healthcare that they would discontinue marketing their product Viadur(R) (leuprolide acetate implant), which is indicated for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. As a result of this announcement, Indevus' product VANTAS(R) (histrelin implant) will be the only 12-month implant for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Indevus remains committed to providing patients and physicians effective options for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
"Indevus is firmly committed to providing continuity of care for current Viadur patients," stated Kurt W. Lewis, senior vice president, sales and marketing of Indevus. "We will ensure that physicians have ready access to VANTAS, therefore enabling a smooth transition for those patients who desire a once-yearly therapy for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer."
"VANTAS is appropriate for patients who are candidates for long-term LHRH therapy," stated James E. Shipley, M.D., senior vice president clinical development and medical affairs of Indevus. "VANTAS provides the flexibility that only the technology of our once-yearly Hydron Implant can offer, resulting in improved patient compliance and physician efficiency."
More information regarding VANTAS is available at www.vantasimplant.com or by calling 888-282-5372.
About VANTAS
VANTAS(R) is a soft and flexible 12-month hydrogel implant that provides histrelin, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist, for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. VANTAS is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to GnRH, GnRH agonist analogs, or any components in VANTAS.
About Indevus
Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the acquisition, development and commercialization of products to treat conditions in urology and endocrinology. The Company's approved products include SANCTURA(R) XR and SANCTURA(R) for overactive bladder, VANTAS(R) for advanced prostate cancer, SUPPRELIN(R) LA for central precocious puberty, and DELATESTRYL(R) to treat male hypogonadism. The Indevus development pipeline contains multiple compounds within the Company's core therapeutic areas in addition to several partnered or partnerable programs. The most advanced compounds in development include, VALSTAR(TM) for bladder cancer, NEBIDO(R) for male hypogonadism, PRO 2000 for the prevention of infection by HIV and other sexually-transmitted pathogens, octreotide for acromegaly, and pagoclone for stuttering.
Forward Looking Statements
Except for the descriptions of historical facts contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are set forth in the Company's filings under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere, and include, but are not limited to: dependence on the success of SANCTURA, SANCTURA XR, NEBIDO, VANTAS and SUPPRELIN LA; effectiveness of our sales force; competition and its effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; dependence on third parties for supplies, particularly for histrelin, manufacturing, marketing, and clinical trials; risks associated with being a manufacturer of some of our products; risks associated with contractual agreements, particularly for the manufacture and co-promotion of SANCTURA and SANCTURA XR and the manufacture of NEBIDO, VANTAS, SUPPRELIN LA and VALSTAR; reliance on intellectual property and having limited patents and proprietary rights; dependence on market exclusivity, changes in reimbursement policies and/or rates for SANCTURA, VANTAS, SUPPRELIN LA, DELATESTRYL and any future products; acceptance by the healthcare community of our approved products and product candidates; uncertainties relating to clinical trials, regulatory approval and commercialization of our products, particularly SANCTURA XR, NEBIDO, and VALSTAR; product liability and insurance uncertainties; risks relating to the Redux-related litigation; need for additional funds and corporate partners, including for the development of our products; history of operating losses and expectation of future losses; uncertainties relating to controls over financial reporting; difficulties in managing our growth; valuation of our Common Stock; risks related to repayment of debts; risks related to increased leverage; general worldwide economic conditions and related uncertainties; and other risks. Indevus undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward- looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
