Kos acquired Azmacort from Aventis Pharmaceuticals in March 2004. As part of that acquisition, Aventis had a five-year manufacturing contract to produce Azmacort for Aeropharm Technology, a Kos subsidiary, from Aventis’ manufacturing facility in Manati, Puerto Rico.
In March, Inyx completed the acquisition of the assets and business of Aventis Pharmaceuticals Puerto Rico at Manati. Related to this acquisition, the contract for producing Azmacort in its existing CFC propellant form has been transferred from Aventis to Inyx.
In addition, the parties have also agreed to negotiate in good faith, prior to June 30, 2005, an R&D collaboration related to the development of Azmacort utilizing the non-ozone-depleting propellant HFA (hydrofluoroalkane).
Azmacort is used in the maintenance treatment of asthma as a prophylactic therapy. It is also indicated for asthma patients who require corticosteroids administration, where adding Azmacort may reduce or eliminate the need for systemic corticosteroids.