Table of Contents
NASHVILLE, Tenn. and THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Pernix Therapeutics LLC have entered an exclusive agreement for the promotion of Omeclamox-Pak in the United States.
Under the pact announced Monday, Cumberland will promote Omeclamox-Pak to gastroenterologists nationwide via its field sales force, which also promotes the company’s Kristalose brand, while Pernix will promote Omeclamox-Pak through its specialty sales force, focusing on select primary care doctors.
The companies will cooperate in the marketing and other activities needed to support the commercialization of the Omeclamox-Pak brand.
Omeclamox-Pak is a branded prescription drug that combines omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and duodenal ulcer disease. The companies said the product is the first Food and Drug Administration-approved triple combination medication to contain omeprazole as the proton pump inhibitor and is prescribed over a shortened treatment period of 10 days.
"We have been searching for an FDA approved gastroenterology product that can be featured by our field sales force," commented A.J. Kazimi, chief executive officer of Cumberland Pharmaceuticals. "We have been very selective in the brands that we bring into our portfolio, and believe that Omeclamox-Pak is an excellent fit for our field sales organization. We look forward to featuring this important product to caregivers and their patients suffering from ulcers caused by h. pylori infections."
According to Brian Fennerty, M.D., professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at Oregon Health & Science University, published studies show that a 10-day regimen of twice-daily therapy with omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin eliminates 80% to 90% of H. pylori infections.
In the triple combination therapy, omeprazole decreases the amount of acid the stomach produces, while clarithromycin and amoxicillin are antibacterial drugs that inhibit the growth of bacteria, allowing the stomach lining to heal.
"Gastroenterologists are the leading prescribers of H. pylori treatments, and we are excited to partner with Cumberland to reach that key audience for the Omeclamox-Pak brand," stated Cooper Collins, chief strategic officer of Pernix Therapeutics. "We believe that together we should be able to build a great brand from the strong existing foundation that has been created by the Pernix sales team."
