Shire acquires Methypatch

Executive Summary

Shire acquires worldwide sales & marketing rights to the pending attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder treatment Methypatch from Noven. The company expects future Methypatch (methylphenidate transdermal) sales to offset generic erosion of Adderall (amphetamine). Barr's ANDA for Adderall was approved Feb. 11 (1"The Pink Sheet" Feb. 10, p. 29). "Shire will make an upfront payment to Noven of $25 mil. followed by separate milestone payments up to $125 mil., which will be dependent on FDA approval and the achievement of certain sales targets," company said. Methypatch has an estimated user fee goal of June 2003...