Paladin Labs Signs Agreement for Emtrix in Canada
MONTREAL, CANADA--(Marketwire - Dec 12, 2012) - Paladin Labs Inc. (PLB.TO) today announced that it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement for Emtrix®, a novel, over-the-counter product for the local treatment of fingernail and toenail fungal infections (onychomycosis) in Canada. Under the terms of the agreement, Paladin has been granted the exclusive rights to market and sell Emtrix® in Canada. Emtrix® is an over-the-counter ("OTC"), topical product with a unique mechanism of action that generates visible improvements within 2-4 weeks of treatment. Financial details related to the agreements were not disclosed.
Emtrix® was approved by Health Canada in June 2012 and is expected to be launched in the second half of 2013. Canadian studies indicate that onychomycosis affects approximately 2 million people in Canada.1
"We look forward to working with Paladin - a leading Canadian company with a strong track record - to make Emtrix® a success in Canada. Emtrix® is already established as a leading product in the U.S. and many other markets. The launch in Canada constitutes an important step in the global commercialization of Emtrix®," said Peter Wolpert, President and CEO of Moberg Derma AB.
"We are pleased to partner with Moberg Derma to commercialize Emtrix® in Canada," said Mark Beaudet, interim President and CEO of Paladin Labs Inc. "Emtrix® is unique because it provides a fast and effective solution to treat nail fungus without the need for a prescription. Emtrix® will complement our growing portfolio of new OTC products, including VagiSense™, AmnioSense™ and Travelan®. We are excited to yet again add critical mass to our growing OTC business in Canada."
About Emtrix® and nail disease
Emtrix® is a topical treatment used to treat nail disease. Launched in the Nordic region in late 2010, it quickly became the market leader with market share over 60% in Sweden, the first year after launch.2 Emtrix® is an OTC product sold under the name Nalox™ in certain markets and under the name Kerasal® Nail in the U.S. Safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in several clinical studies including more than 600 patients. Emtrix® has a unique and rapid mechanism of action which brings visible improvements within 2-4 weeks of treatment. Nail fungus is the most common nail disease and Canadian studies indicate a prevalence of approximately 6.5% of the general Canadian population.1 It is generally recognized that there is a need for new efficacious and safe topical treatments.
1 Gupta AK, Jain HC, Lynde CW, MacDonald P, Cooper EA, Summerbell RC. Prevalence and epidemiology of onychomycosis in patients visiting physicians'' offices: a multicenter Canadian survey of 15,000 patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000;43:244-248.
2 Nielsen Scantrack, Nail fungus products, Self-care, Sweden w01-w32, 2011.
About Paladin Labs Inc.
Paladin Labs Inc., headquartered in Montreal, Canada, is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring or in-licensing innovative pharmaceutical products for the Canadian and world markets. With this strategy, a focused national sales team and proven marketing expertise, Paladin has evolved into one of Canada''s leading specialty pharmaceutical companies. Paladin''s shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PLB. For more information about Paladin, please visit the Company''s web site at www.paladinlabs.com.
Forward Looking Statements Related to Paladin
This press release may contain forward-looking statements and predictions. These forward-looking statements, by their nature, necessarily involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. The Company considers the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based to be reasonable at the time they were prepared, but cautions that these assumptions regarding the future events, many of which are beyond the control of the Company and its subsidiaries, may ultimately prove to be incorrect. Factors and risks, which could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations, are discussed in the annual report as well as in the Company''s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or future events and except as required by law. For additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements, investors should consult the Company''s ongoing quarterly fillings, annual report and Annual Information Form and other fillings found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.