In Brief: Novopharm
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Novopharm: Plans to launch nicotine gums for smoking cessation under an exclusive license with Premedent Technologies, a San Diego-based company specializing in chewing gum delivery systems. Pharmaceutical companies have expressed interest in a generic version of SmithKline Beecham's Nicorette as well as branded nicotine gums, and chain drug stores have inquired about store brand and private label versions, Toronto-based Novopharm notes. The firm plans to file an application with FDA for the nicotine gum in the third quarter and anticipates approval next year; Nicorette Waxman/Hatch exclusivity expires Feb. 9, 1999. Novopharm expects "revenues of about $100 mil. in the first year of launch from both licensing fees and a steady stream of royalties for nicotine gum alone." Other products in development include gums to administer medications to cancer patients, OTCs, and herbal and vitamin formulations...