Santarus launches acid reflux drug Zegerid in United States

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, March 28 - Santarus, Inc. announced Tuesday the U.S. commercial launch of Zegerid (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate) capsules 40 mg/1100 mg and 20 mg/1100 mg, an immediate-release proton pump inhibitor to treat acid reflux.

Zegerid capsules were approved by the Food and Drug Administration on Feb. 27, according to a company news release.

Capsules and swallowable tablets are the most frequently prescribed dosage forms for patients taking proton pump inhibitors, constituting more than 98% of the proton pump inhibitor prescription market.

The market, including five delayed-release proton pump inhibitor brands, had U.S. prescription sales of $12.8 billion in 2005, according to IMS Health, an independent pharmaceutical market research firm.

Santarus said it is launching Zegerid capsules with a combined sales force with its co-promotion partner Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc. of about 370 sales representatives who are targeting 26,000 of the highest proton pump inhibitor-prescribing physicians in the United States.

Independent research has indicated that these targeted physicians wrote prescriptions that accounted for about $4.4 billion in proton pump inhibitor sales during 2005.

"We plan to continue building on the Zegerid brand recognition we have established in the marketplace, and with the introduction of Zegerid capsules, seek to strengthen our competitive position as the first and only immediate-release oral proton pump inhibitor," Gerald T. Proehl, president and chief executive officer of Santarus, said in the release.

Santarus said it has achieved its planned initial distribution of Zegerid capsules to pharmaceutical wholesalers, retail pharmacies, hospitals and other institutional customers.

Samples of Zegerid capsules have also been shipped to Santarus and Otsuka sales representatives for distribution to their target physicians, officials said.

In addition to the product sampling program, other planned promotional activities include the introduction of a new advertising campaign and corresponding print advertisements in leading medical journals, as well as a new program aimed at increasing Zegerid trial time by providing patients with immediate savings on initial prescriptions.

The company received FDA approval Monday for its third dosage form, Zegerid with magnesium hydroxide (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate/magnesium hydroxide) chewable tablets.

Santarus is a San Diego specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing proprietary products that treat gastrointestinal diseases and disorders.

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