Galenica strengthens its market position in Spain. It acquires all shares of Vifor Uriach Pharma as well as Grupo Uriach's Primary Care Business.
Galenica has acquired all the outstanding shares of Vifor Uriach Pharma SL, a joint venture with its Spanish partner Grupo Uriach, as well as Grupo Uriach's Primary Care Business. This will improve the ability of Galenica to commercialise the intravenous iron products Ferinject® and Venofer® as well as several in-licensed products. The acquisition is a further example of the strategy of Galenica to build a strong presence in key European markets and will provide Vifor Pharma with additional sales capability to hospitals and medical practices in Spain.
Vifor Uriach Pharma SL, a joint venture controlled by Galenica, was established in 2009 between Galenica and its longstanding local partner Grupo Uriach, to commercialise Vifor Pharma's intravenous (i.v.) iron products Ferinject®, Venofer® and Palladone® (pain management) from Mundipharma.
Galenica has acquired all outstanding shares of the company and will rename it Vifor Pharma España SL. The Spanish venture of Galenica incorporates Vifor Uriach Pharma SL and Grupo Uriach's Primary Care Business (dealing with medical practices) including their medical, marketing and sales organisation. The company is based in Barcelona and will help capitalise on the full market potential of Ferinject® by offering the product to a broader group of physicians and patients.
Along with Ferinject® and Venofer ®, Vifor Pharma España SL will commercialise a broad portfolio of well established products and several new innovative in-licensed products such as Copalia® (hypertension), Vimovo® (inflammation, pain management), Rupafin® (rhinitis, urticaria), Disgren® (antiplatelet drug) and the asthma treatment Alvesco®.
The acquisition will be effective as of 14 November 2011. Financial terms of the agreement will not be disclosed.
For further information, please contact:
| Galenica Investor Relations: | Galenica Media Relations: |
| Fritz Hirsbrunner, Deputy CEO and CFO | Christina Hertig, Head of Corporate Communications |
| Tel. +41 58 852 85 29 | Tel. +41 58 852 85 17 |
| E-mail: investors@galenica.com | E-mail: media@galenica.com |
Galenica is a diversified group active throughout the healthcare market which, among other things, develops, manufactures, markets and distributes pharmaceutical products, runs pharmacies, provides logistical and database services and sets up networks. In all of its business sectors - Pharma, Logistics and Retail - the Galenica Group enjoys a leading position. A large part of the Group's income is generated by international operations.
Galenica is listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX Swiss Exchange, GALN, security number 1,553,646).
For more information please visit the company's website at www.galenica.com.
Vifor Pharma - Media Relations:
Beatrix Benz, Head of Global Communications Vifor Pharma
Tel.: +41 58 851 80 16
E-mail: communications@viforpharma.com
Vifor Pharma, a company of the Galenica Group, is a world leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of iron deficiency. The company also offers a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines as well as over-the-counter (OTC) products. Vifor Pharma, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, has an increasingly global presence and a broad network of affiliates and partners around the world.
Venofer® (iron sucrose injection) is the leading intravenous (i.v.) iron product for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in renal patients. Ferinject® (ferric carboxymaltose) is a novel i.v. iron replacement therapy, also a non-dextran iron, that can be rapidly administered in large i.v. doses. Ferinject® is currently registered for use in 37 countries worldwide.
For more information please visit the company's website at www.viforpharma.com.
Press Release (PDF)