London, 22 April 2013 – Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (“Hikma”) (LSE: HIK) (NASDAQ Dubai: HIK) today announces the signing of a licensing and distribution agreement with Dance Biopharm for its proprietary inhaled insulin product, Dance 01, for the Middle East and Africa. Dance 01 is currently under development for the treatment of patients with diabetes, with Phase 3 studies expected to begin next year.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hikma will have the exclusive rights to register, market and distribute Dance 01 across the Middle East and Africa. The agreement will initially leverage Hikma’s strong local presence and regulatory expertise in the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”), with over 1,600 sales and marketing representatives across the region.
Diabetes is a global epidemic, estimated to be affecting around 371 million patients worldwide.1 In the MENA region, the private market for diabetes products was valued at over $668 million in 2012, up 15% compared to 2011. Diabetes is the largest and fastest growing cause of morbidity in the MENA region and this agreement will enable patients in these countries to benefit from an innovative, easy-to-use insulin medication. Dance 01 will complement Hikma’s strong portfolio of prescription pharmaceuticals for the treatment of diabetes.
Said Darwazah, Hikma’s CEO said, “Hikma is committed to improving the treatment of diabetes in the MENA region through the development of our product portfolio. We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Dance Biopharm in bringing this innovative treatment to the region, where we believe there is excellent market potential for inhaled insulin products. This agreement supports our efforts in continuing to bring innovative and critically needed new products to our patients in MENA by working with a range of global partners at different stages in the product development cycle.”
John Patton, Dance Biopharm’s CEO said, “Dance’s mission is to bring affordable inhaled insulin to diabetes patients across the globe. We consider Hikma to be the most capable and well-positioned pharmaceutical partner in the MENA region, where the prevalence of diabetes is the highest in the world. Through this collaboration, Dance and Hikma will commercialise inhaled insulin in MENA as soon as possible.”
Enquiries
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC
Susan Ringdal, Investor Relations Director: +44 (0)20 7399 2760/ 07776 477050
Lucinda Henderson, Investor Relations Manager: +44 (0)20 7399 2765/ 07974 375550
FTI Consulting
Ben Atwell / Julia Phillips / Matthew Cole: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
About Dance Biopharm
Dance Biopharm is a San Francisco based, global company founded in 2009. It is focused exclusively on creating a line of small, patient friendly, pain-free, low cost insulin inhalers for the world diabetes market. Approximately 60% of Type 2 diabetic patients are out of glycemic control and many refuse to accept chronic mealtime injections. Studies indicate that these patients strongly prefer inhaled insulin and would comply with recommended insulin therapy if inhaled. Dance plans to leverage the extensive experience of their team, best in class technology and IP on inhaled insulin to produce low risk, fast to market products.
About Hikma
Hikma Pharmaceuticals is a fast growing multinational group focused on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad range of both branded and non branded generic and in-licensed products. Hikma’s operations are conducted through three businesses: “Branded”, “Injectables” and “Generics” based principally in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where it is a market leader, the United States and Europe. In 2012, Hikma achieved revenue of US$1,108.7 million and profit attributable to shareholders of US$100.3 million.
Matthew Cole
Senior Director
Strategic Communications
F T I Consulting
+44 (0)20 7269 7254 direct
+44 (0)7971 561 691 mobile
matthew.cole@fticonsulting.com
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London, WC2A 1PB
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