Norgine Expands Its Partnership with Apharm to Commercialise ZIVEREL® in New European Countries

LONDON, 15 April 2015, 07:00 AM BST: Norgine B.V. announced today that it has expanded its agreement with Apharm s.r.l. to distribute ZIVEREL^® in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. In June 2015, Norgine and Apharm entered into an agreement to distribute ZIVEREL^®in Spain, Australia and New Zealand.

ZIVEREL^® is a medical device (class III) used to maintain the integrity of the oesophageal mucosa to avoid the irritation of the oesophagus caused by stomach acid among other causes.

ZIVEREL^® is a combination of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate, which protects the oesophageal mucosa by an original mechanism.¹ The presence of a high bioadhesive capacity component (poloxamer 407) in the formulation increases the stability of contact between the chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid in the surface of the wall of the oesophagus and contributes to the protective effect against the action of hydrochloric acid and pepsin produced by the stomach. Chondroitin sulfate also has an action that promotes the repair process of the oesophageal mucosa.

Peter Martin, COO at Norgine said: “We are delighted to increase the number of countries in which ZIVEREL^® will become available. This recent transaction exemplifies our partnering culture and commitment to acquire further specialised innovative products to be maximised through our well-established EU infrastructure.”

He added: “By ensuring ZIVEREL^® is widely available in the EU, patients who suffer from gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms will have access to a new treatment option for a condition which is on the rise and that can have a significant impact on health-related quality of life and reduction in personal and work-related productivity.”

Gastrooesophageal reflux disease is prevalent worldwide, and disease burden may be increasing. It affects up to 20% of the Western population² and is associated with a range of risk factors.

ZIVEREL^® is available in Spain. Norgine plans to launch ZIVEREL^®  in Australia and New Zealand in 2016 and in early 2017 in the newly added European markets.

Notes to Editors:

References
1. Simone et al. Barrier effect of Esoxx®on esophageal mucosal damage: experimental study on ex-vivo swine model. Clin Exp Gastroenterology. 2012; 5: 103-17
2. J Dent et al. Gut2005;54:710-717 doi:10.1136/gut.2004.051821. http://gut.bmj.com/content/54/5/710.full

About Norgine
Norgine is a European specialist pharmaceutical company that has been established for over 100 years. In 2015, Norgine’s total revenue was €320 million and the company employs over 1,000 people.

Norgine provides expertise and ‘know how’ in Europe to develop, manufacture and market products that offer real value to healthcare professionals, payers and patients. Norgine’s approach and infrastructure is integrated and focused upon ensuring that Norgine wins partnership opportunities for growth.

Norgine is headquartered in the Netherlands and its global operations are based in Amsterdam and in Harefield, UK. Norgine owns an R&D site in Hengoed, Wales and two manufacturing sites, one in Hengoed, Wales and one in Dreux, France.

For more information, please visit www.norgine.com

In 2012, Norgine established a complementary business Norgine Ventures, supporting innovative healthcare companies through the provision of debt-like financing in Europe and the US. For more information, please visit www.norgineventures.com.

NORGINE and the sail logo are trademarks of the Norgine group of companies.

About Apharm
Apharm is a dynamic Italian based pharmaceutical company whose core business is the research and development of new products and registration of innovative patents that are licensed on a global basis..

Apharm operates in a number of therapeutic area but is most active in the fields of gastroenterology, orthopaedic and dermatology/aesthetics.

Constantly committed to improve people’s life quality in terms of health and wellbeing, Apharm carries out an active role in discovering and treating pathologies of high social impact.

For more information, please visit www.apharm.it or contact Mr. Paolo Pizzoni, Managing Director and co-founder of Apharm ([email protected]) .

Norgine Media Contact:
Isabelle Jouin
T: +44 (0)1895 453643
Follow us @norgine

GL/COR/0416/0064. April 2016

Isabelle Jouin
Interim Director, Global Corporate Communications
Norgine
Norgine House, Widewater Place, Moorhall Road
Harefield, Uxbridge, UB9 6NS. UK
Telephone: +44(0) 1895826237

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