Verity Pharmaceuticals will feature Sancuso across the U.S.
through its established oncology commercial organization and customer network
Nashville - Specialty pharmaceutical company CumberlandPharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CPIX) announced today that it has entered into a national co-promotion agreement with Verity Pharmaceuticals International Ltd. to support Cumberland’s new Sancuso® oncology support product.
Sancuso is the first and only FDA-approved prescription patch for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving certain types of chemotherapy treatment. The active drug in Sancuso, granisetron, slowly dissolves in the thin layer of adhesive that sticks to the patient’s skin and is released into their bloodstream over several days, working continuously to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Applied 24 to 48 hours before receiving chemotherapy, it can prevent CINV for up to five consecutive days. Alternative oral treatments must be taken several times (day and night) to deliver the same therapeutic doses.
Under the terms of the agreement, Verity Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company with an established commercial presence in the U.S., will promote Sancuso throughout most of the country through its national oncology sales organization. The two companies will share in the incremental contribution margin resulting from Verity Pharmaceuticals’ efforts.
This co-promotion agreement follows Cumberland’s acquisition in January of Sancuso from the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (Kyowa Kirin, TSE: 4151). Under the terms of that agreement, Cumberland acquired U.S. rights to Sancuso and assumed full commercial responsibility for the product – including its distribution, marketing, promotion, manufacturing and medical support activities. Cumberland has established a fully dedicated oncology specialist sales division to support the brand. The new division, Cumberland Oncology, is initially comprised of former Kyowa Kirin sales employees and their contracted inside sales individuals.
“We are honored to assume responsibility for delivering Sancuso to cancer patients throughout the U.S.,” said A.J. Kazimi, CEO of Cumberland Pharmaceuticals. “We look forward to this new partnership with Verity Pharmaceuticals to feature Sancuso to physicians and oncology clinics that Cumberland doesn’t cover, allowing us to reach even more patients who need the medication during their chemotherapy treatments.”
“The partnership between Cumberland and Verity Pharmaceuticals showcases our shared focus on providing clinically relevant, innovative medicines in support of patients in need,” said Howard Glase, CEO of Verity Pharmaceuticals. “Furthermore, the commercial synergies of the two organizations will benefit all in the health care continuum, whilst accomplishing our shared commercial goals.”
