Acino adds blockbuster esomeprazole to its product portfolio

NEWS RELEASE — PRESSEMITTEILUNG
Acino adds blockbuster esomeprazole to its product
portfolio
Basle, April 2, 2012, 07.00 hrs — Shortly after having acquired Cephalon/Mepha’s international
business in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America, Acino continues
its expansion in global emerging markets under its «Acino Switzerland» brand by successfully
in-licensing the blockbuster drug esomeprazole. The licensing agreements include
esomeprazole 20 mg and 40 mg MUPS (Multiple Unit Particulate Systems) tablets,
and esomeprazole 40 mg lyophilized powder for injection. The esomeprazole MUPS tablets
are being produced at Acino’s manufacturing site in Liesberg (Canton Baselland,
Switzerland).
Esomeprazole (original product Nexium® from AstraZeneca), a proton pump inhibitor
(PPI), is being used in the treatment of indications such as dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease
(PUD), gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
The product (oral and parenteral presentations) generated worldwide annual
sales of over USD 8.7 billion (MAT 06/2011) and is among the top five drugs in several of
Acino’s target markets.
Through this in-licensing agreement Acino will further strengthen its position in the gastrointestinal
therapeutic area. The company is anticipating a good match with its strong franchise
with the branded product Gasec® (omeprazole), which Mepha built up over the
years in different international markets. In addition, Acino successfully completed the inlicensing
of another PPI, pantoprazole 40 mg, for injection.
Dr. Manuel Heim, Head of Global Marketing, said: “We consider this an excellent fit to
support our own-brand marketing strategy of providing Swiss quality products with advanced
and refined application technologies such as MUPS, ensuring effective relief to
patients. We expect to add more products to our existing portfolio with a focus on the
therapeutic areas pain, oncology, urology, antiinfectives, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal
disorders, and others.
Ruud van Anraat, Chief Commercial Officer, added: “ Acino - with its Swiss base, international
market presence, and high quality standards - will be ideally placed to capitalize on
the potential of these products in up and coming markets. It underscores our dedication
and focus, making «Acino Switzerland» a preferred partner in emerging markets with the
aim to make quality medicine accessible for the benefit of the patient.”
Acino Holding Ltd.
Erlenstrasse 1
CH-4058 Basle
Phone +41 61 338 60 00
Fax +41 61 338 60 80
www.acino-pharma.com

Acino – Delivering Health
Acino (SIX: ACIN), a Swiss-based pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures and internationally
markets well-proven and innovative pharmaceuticals in novel drug delivery forms. Acino is a
leader in advanced drug delivery technologies with a focus on modified release oral forms, oral
dispersible forms, transdermal systems and extended release parenterals, for which it also holds
patents. As a partner of pharmaceutical companies worldwide, Acino supplies finished in-house
developed products and/or provides customized one-stop solutions from product development and
registration to contract manufacturing, packaging and logistics. Under the brand “Acino Switzerland”,
Acino markets Swiss-quality medicines in up and coming economies. The Acino Group is
headquartered in Basle, at present has about 870 employees (including staff members from
Mepha) and generated annual revenues of EUR 135 million in 2011.
Contact Calendar
Peter Burema
CEO Acino Group
Phone +41 61 338 60 00
info@acino-pharma.com
www.acino-pharma.com
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5.4.2012 General Meeting of Shareholders
11.4.2012 Dividend ex-date
13.4.2012 Dividend record date
16.4.2012 Dividend payment date
2.8.2012 Half-year report as of June 30, 2012
Acino Holding Ltd.
Erlenstrasse 1
CH-4058 Basle
Phone +41 61 338 60 00
Fax +41 61 338 60 80
www.acino-pharma.com