BRIDGEWATER, N.J., July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alpharma Inc. today announced that its subsidiary, Alpharma (Taizhou) Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., has completed the company’s previously disclosed agreement with Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (“Hisun”) that, over the next several years, will double the Alpharma’s capacity to manufacture one of its major active pharmaceutical ingredients, vancomycin, subject to the receipt of required FDA and European regulatory approvals. Vancomycin is the treatment of choice for severe gram positive hospital infections. Alpharma is one of the worlds leading suppliers of vancomycin, which is currently manufactured at Alpharma sites in Copenhagen, Denmark and Budapest, Hungary. Hisun was established in 1956 and has evolved into one of the largest bulk API manufacturers in China. Hisun ranks among the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in China as well as in the top 500 Chinese companies overall.
“Our partnership with Hisun has been highly productive,” commented Carl Aake Carlsson, President of Alpharma’s Active Pharmaceuticals division. “Progress at the new Chinese facility has been excellent, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with Hisun as we significantly expand Alpharma’s capacity of its largest active pharmaceutical ingredient, Vancomycin, to meet the growing demand for this product.”
Since 2006, Alpharma has purchased vancomycin from Hisun pending the completion of the construction and regulatory approval process of a new Vancomycin manufacturing plant at the Hisun facility in China. The new facility, which will be owned and operated by Alpharma, will incorporate certain technology purchased from Hisun, in addition to certain Alpharma technology. Construction of the new facility is expected to be completed in early 2008, and Alpharma (Taizhou) Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is targeting to secure the necessary regulatory approvals to enable vancomycin produced at the new site to be sold in the global market place in 2008, including the U.S. and European markets.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements made in this release include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, including those relating to future financial expectations, involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Information on significant potential risks and uncertainties not discussed herein may be found in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006
Alpharma Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical company with leadership positions in products for humans and animals. Alpharma is presently active in more than 60 countries. Alpharma has a growing branded pharmaceutical franchise in the chronic pain market with its morphine- based extended release KADIAN(R) product. In addition, Alpharma is among the world’s leading producers of several specialty pharmaceutical-grade bulk antibiotics and is internationally recognized as a leading provider of pharmaceutical products for poultry and livestock.
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Contact: Kathleen Makrakis - VP, Investor Relations kathleen.makrakis@alpharma.com 201.228.5085
Alpharma Inc.
CONTACT: Kathleen Makrakis - VP, Investor Relations of Alpharma Inc.,+1-201-228-5085, kathleen.makrakis@alpharma.com
Web site: http://www.alpharma.com/
