Apricus, Abbott strike deal to commercialize Vitaros in Canada

Apricus Biosciences has signed a licensing deal with Abbott Laboratories, as per which Abbott will receive the exclusive rights to market Apricus Bio’s Vitaros  in Canada.

Vitaros (alprostadil), indicated to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) is applied directly as a cream that boosts blood flow.According to the collaboration deal, Abbott will commercialize and market Vitaros in Canada where the drug was approved by Health Canada in the later part of 2010.In addition, Apricus Bio will receive up to nearly $16m in up-front, regulatory and sales milestone payments, plus tiered royalty payments based on Abbott’s sales of the product in Canada.

According to the company, clinical data demonstrated that Vitaros worked in patients suffering from mild to severe ED, including men who did not respond to sildenafil citrate, while the side effects were localized and transient.