HYALGAN® (sodium hyaluronate) Commercial Rights Transfer Back to Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A. (Fidia) announced today that commercial rights for HYALGAN ® (sodium hyaluronate), an injectable treatment for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis when simple painkillers or exercise and physical therapy are not enough, will be transferred from Sanofi US LLC back to Fidia on September 24, 2011.  Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A. is the owner and manufacturer of HYALGAN. After September 24th, Fidia will promote, distribute and sell HYALGAN in the United States through its wholly owned subsidiary, Fidia Pharma USA Inc, headquartered in Parsippany, N.J.

The company stated that the transfer of US commercial responsibility for HYALGAN will not result in any change to the product. Current volume purchase agreements will continue to be honored and the product's current J-code will remain unchanged.  Critical services such as the HYALGAN® patient assistance program will also remain unchanged and can be accessed at 1-866-7-HYALGAN. Until September 24th, medical professionals can direct their questions about HYALGAN to their Sanofi US LLC sales representative.

HYALGAN was approved for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1997.  More than 38 million doses of HYALGAN® have been administered worldwide since its introduction.(1)

About Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A

Headquartered in Abano Terme, Northeast Italy, Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A., has over 50 years of successful R&D and industry experience with biologically active molecules.  As a model for international success, Fidia has focused its core business activities on hyaluronic acid, developing and providing a wide range of products for various specialties. Fidia holds more than 960 patents on hyaluronic acid and its applications and its products are currently in over 70 countries worldwide.  Fidia's most important proprietary platform technology at a worldwide level is the chemical modification, development, and manufacturing of state-of-the-art pharmaceuticals and medical devices based on hyaluronan covering multiple therapeutic categories including joint care, advanced wound care, and aesthetic medicine.

Helping people stay healthy is Fidia's corporate commitment.  For more information, visit www.fidiapharma.com.

(1)  Data on File, Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A.
BP.F.H.035  911

SOURCE Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A.