Nycomed to market Eurand's Zenpep in Russia-CIS

Fast-growing independent Swiss drugmaker Nycomed has entered into an exclusive commercialization, license and supply agreement with Eurand NV (Nasdaq: EURX) for Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), as well as Georgia and Mongolia. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Nycomed - which is aiming to expand its presence in emerging markets - in 2009 generated sales of 343.4 million euros ($445.2 million) from Russia, and the same year announced an $84 million manufacturing plant investment in Russia.

Under the deal, Nycomed Russia-CIS will market and distribute Zenpep (pancrelipase) delayed-release capsules in Russia and CIS, as well as Georgia and Mongolia, subject to regulatory review and approval of the product in those territories. Zenpep is a US Food and Drug Administration-approved pancreatic enzyme product (PEP) indicated for the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency in patients with cystic fibrosis or other conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis, gastrointestinal surgery and pancreatic cancer. Eurand markets Zenpep directly in the USA through its own sales force.