Aqua Pharmaceuticals Announces Acquisition Of Rights To VELTIN Gel And ALTABAX Ointment

WEST CHESTER, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aqua Pharmaceuticals, LLC today announces the acquisition of the U.S. rights to two dermatology products, VELTIN^® (clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin) Gel, 1.2%/0.025% and ALTABAX^® (retapamulin) Ointment, 1%, by the global pharmaceutical company Almirall, parent company of Aqua, from GlaxoSmithKline. Both VELTIN^® and ALTABAX^® will be promoted through Aqua in the United States.

“The addition of VELTIN® and ALTABAX® will create new opportunities throughout our organization and help us achieve our vision of becoming the finest dermatology specialty company.”

VELTIN^® is a prescription combination product containing an antibiotic (clindamycin) and a retinoid (tretinoin) indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. VELTIN^® should be applied once daily in the evening to the affected area.

ALTABAX^® is a topical antibiotic indicated for the treatment of the skin infection impetigo due to susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus pyogenes in adults and pediatric patients 9 months of age or older. ALTABAX^® is indicated for use twice-daily for a five-day period.

In a press release, Eduardo Sanchiz, CEO of Almirall, stated, “Considering the significant expertise of Aqua Pharmaceuticals in the dermatology field, we are convinced they will be in a good position to maximize the potential of VELTIN^® and ALTABAX^®. Both medications are a perfect fit with our current portfolio, are aligned with our global strategy and strengthen our position in the U.S., which is the world’s largest dermatology market.”

“We are extremely excited about this acquisition and the opportunity to add these effective, complementary products to our existing portfolio,” said Ted White, Chief Operating Officer at Aqua. “The addition of VELTIN^® and ALTABAX^® will create new opportunities throughout our organization and help us achieve our vision of becoming the finest dermatology specialty company.”

About Aqua Pharmaceuticals

Headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Aqua Pharmaceuticals, an Almirall company, is dedicated to helping patients achieve their goals of healthy skin and a positive self-image. The company has leading branded prescription drugs in four therapeutic categories that include acne, steroid-responsive dermatoses, actinic keratoses and seborrheic dermatitis.

For more information, please visit www.aquapharm.com.

About Almirall

Almirall is a global company based in Barcelona dedicated to providing valuable medicines through its R&D, agreements and alliances. Our work covers the whole of the drug value chain. A consolidated growth allows us to devote our talent and efforts towards specialty areas and particularly to further grow as a leading Dermatology player. Our size enables us to be agile and flexible so that we can accomplish the purpose of taking our innovative products wherever they are needed.

Founded in 1943, Almirall is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange (ticker: ALM) and it has become a source of value creation for society due to its vision and the commitment of its long-standing major shareholders. In 2014, its revenues totaled 1,407 million euros and, with more than 2,100 employees, it has gradually built up a trusted presence across Europe, as well as in the U.S. and Mexico.

For more information, please visit www.almirall.com.