Labopharm partners with Grunenthal, sanofi-aventis to market tramadol in France

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., Jan. 30 - Through its Labopharm Europe subsidiary, Labopharm Inc. said it has signed licensing and distribution agreements with Grunenthal GmbH and sanofi-aventis, giving the companies semi-exclusive rights to market and sell Labopharm's analgesic once-daily tramadol in France.

Tramadol is indicated for the management of moderate to moderately severe pain.

Grunenthal and sanofi-aventis co-market other tramadol products in France under a pre-existing agreement, according to a company news release.

Grunenthal is the second-largest marketer of tramadol products in France, with 24% of the market share. Sanofi-aventis is the largest marketer of tramadol in France, with 64% of the market, the company said.

Labopharm will provide Grunenthal with finished packaged product and will share revenue from product sales. Royalty rates from Grunenthal and sanofi-aventis will be the same.

Labopharm's once-daily tramadol product received regulatory approval in France and 21 other European countries under the Mutual Recognition Process in 2005. The product is expected to be launched throughout most of Europe in 2006, the company said. The company's New Drug Application for once-daily tramadol, which was submitted on Nov. 28, has been accepted for review by the Food and Drug Administration.

Labopharm is an international specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of drugs incorporating the company's proprietary advanced controlled-release technology. The company is based in Laval, Quebec.

Grunenthal is an independent research-based pharmaceutical company based in Aachen, Germany.

Paris-based sanofi-aventis engages in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceutical products.

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