Warner Chilcott gets Actonel lift

Warner Chilcott has assumed all commercial responsibility for its osteoporosis drug Actonel in the US.

Sanofi-Aventis has agreed to pass back marketing rights for Actonel (risedronate) in the US and Puerto Rico to the Ireland-based company.

Warner Chilcott bought the entire pharmaceutical division of Proctor and Gamble for $3.1 billion in August 2009, including the rights to its biggest selling drug Actonel.

Actonel was originally developed by Procter & Gamble and the marketing deal with Sanofi was struck in 1997.

The drug is now off patent, but with sales of €264 million in 2009, it is nevertheless one of Warner’s biggest products.

Sanofi will receive collaboration payments from Warner based on percentage net sales until 2014. Sanofi has said the new deal was part of an “ongoing evolution of the company’s organisational and support strategy in the US” in line with its diversification process.

Warner Chilcott also recently announced the opening of a new headquarters building in Dundalk in Ireland, and the creation of 200 jobs in the process.

Warner’s total sales for the full year were $1.44 billion, up 45% on 2008, and its biggest growth driver was the oral contraceptive Loestrin, which grew 20% to $247 million.