LEO Pharma Officially Launches in the United States

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Denmark-based LEO Pharma, a global leader in dermatology and critical care, today announced its official launch in the U.S.  Headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey,  LEO Pharma U.S. will be one of the largest individual operations in the pharmaceutical company's network of worldwide affiliates and is expected to contribute significantly to the company revenues in 2010. The U.S. operation will initially market the company's psoriasis franchise.

LEO Pharma recently reacquired U.S. marketing rights for its psoriasis treatments – TACLONEX(R), TACLONEX Scalp(R) Topical Suspension, DOVONEX(R) Cream and DOVONEX(R) Scalp Solution from Warner Chilcott for $1 billion dollars.  The company has employed a contract sales force and will begin marketing and selling these products in the U.S. effective Jan. 19, 2010.  

"The launch of our new U.S. affiliate is part of LEO Pharma's commitment to growth and strengthens the company's long-term global vision of providing competitive drugs to patients and society. LEO wants continuously to provide improved treatment options and support the research and development of novel therapies to patients with skin diseases and disorders," said Gitte Aabo, CEO and President of LEO Pharma.  "The U.S. operation will be a cornerstone of our business, with plans to further expand into other top global markets."

LEO Pharma has a robust pipeline including several products in late-stage clinical studies for psoriasis, eczema and – through a recent acquisition of Peplin Inc. – actinic (solar) keratosis, a common pre-cancerous skin lesion.  

"LEO Pharma's treatments for skin disorders are already the market leaders in the United States, and our current portfolio combined with one of the strongest pipelines in dermatology has positioned LEO to become the leading pharmaceutical company in the American dermatology market and worldwide," said John Koconis, President and Chief Executive of LEO Pharma U.S. John Koconis is relocating from the United Kingdom where he previously led Leo Pharma's Dermatology Division and has been with LEO Pharma for over 10 years.

About LEO Pharma

Founded more than 100 years ago, LEO Pharma is an independent, research-based specialty pharmaceutical company committed to the discovery and development of novel drugs for patients within the areas of Dermatology and Critical Care Medicine. Wholly owned by The LEO Foundation, the company is headquartered in Ballerup, Denmark, outside of Copenhagen, and is represented in more than 90 countries worldwide.  Employees number more than 3,000, with 550 scientists and specialists working to develop new chemical entities.

With a strong portfolio of approved products and a robust pipeline of treatments in development for conditions including psoriasis, eczema and actinic (solar) keratosis, LEO Pharma is one of the leading dermatology companies in the U.S. and the world.  

For more information about LEO Pharma, visit www.leopharma.com.

About TACLONEX(R)

TACLONEX (calcipotriene 0.005% and betamethasone dipropionate 0.064%) is a topical ointment indicated for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris that combines two commonly prescribed topical psoriasis treatments – calcipotriene hydrate, a synthetic vitamin D3 analogue and betamethasone dipropionate, a synthetic corticosteroid.

TACLONEX Scalp(R) Topical Suspension (calcipotriene 0.005% and betamethasone dipropionate 0.064%) is a gel indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe scalp psoriasis that combines two commonly prescribed topical psoriasis treatments – calcipotriene hydrate, a synthetic vitamin D3 analogue and betamethasone dipropionate, a synthetic corticosteroid.

For full prescribing information for TACLONEX(R), visit www.taclonex.com.

About DOVONEX(R)

DOVONEX(R) (calcipotriene) Cream is a topical formulation of the vitamin D derivative, calcipotriol, indicated for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris .

DOVONEX(R) (calcipotriene) Scalp Solution is a liquid, topical formulation of the vitamin D derivative, calcipotriol, indicated for the treatment of chronic, moderately severe scalp psoriasis .

For full prescribing information for DOVONEX(R), visit http://www.leo-pharma.com/C1256AD9004FA5C9/sysOakFil/DVX%20PM/$File/DVX-PM-E-15-FEB02.pdf

About Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects approximately 5 million Americans (3% of the population) and is equally common in men and women.  It often appears as raised red patches with silvery scales – known as plaques – that flake away from the skin. Psoriatic plaques are often found on the elbows, scalp and knees but can also affect other parts of the body such as the face, feet and mucous membranes.  Psoriasis may appear at any age, but there are two peak onset periods; during childhood/early adulthood (early onset psoriasis) and after age 40 (late onset).

There is no cure for psoriasis, and it is a lifelong, unpredictable condition, with successive cycles of remission and relapse. Although psoriasis is rarely life-threatening, it has a significant impact on quality of life. A chronic disease which is related to an unfavorable appearance, psoriasis often leads to low self-esteem, impairment on well-being and depression. If treated properly many people with psoriasis can live normal lives with the condition.

For more information about psoriasis, visit www.psorinfo.com.

SOURCE LEO Pharma