Pharmaceutical Business review

Reliant and Novartis extend heart drug promotion deal

Reliant began promoting Lescol (fluvastatin sodium) and Lescol XL (fluvastatin sodium extended-release tablets) in January 2001 under a five-year agreement. Under the terms of the extended agreement, Reliant will continue to promote the Lescol family of products with its national primary care and cardiovascular specialty sales forces through 2007, with the potential to extend through 2008.

Lescol and Lescol XL are indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and Apo B levels, and to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Type IIa and IIb).

In patients with coronary heart disease, Lescol and Lescol XL are also indicated to slow the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and to reduce the risk of undergoing coronary revascularization procedures.

The products form an important part of Reliant’s lipid management line, a franchise set to expand with the recent launch of Antara (fenofibrate capsules) and the FDA approval of Omacor (omega-3 ethyl esters).