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ViroPharma estimates 2006 Vancocin sales at $160 million to $170 million
By Ted A. Knutson
Washington, Nov. 29 - ViroPharma Inc. net product sales of Vancocin will be about $160 million to $170 million in 2006, the company said in an 8-K filing Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For the nine months ended Sept. 30, Vancocin sales were $85.5 million, a 104% increase for the drug over the same period in 2004 when it was owned by Eli Lilly and Co. ViroPharma bought Vancocin from Lilly in November 2004.
ViroPharma said if Vancocin revenues significantly decline, the company's financial condition will be materially harmed because, other than potential royalties and milestone payments, sales of Vancocin may be its only source of revenue for at least the next several years.
Vancocin is used for the treatment of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis caused by Clostridium difficile, or C. difficile.
ViroPharma said Vancocin sales could be hurt by competing drugs.
It noted metronidazole, a generic product that is regularly prescribed to treat C. difficile, is much less expensive than Vancocin. ViroPharma noted other drugs that are still in development by competitors, including Genzyme Corp., Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. could be found to have competitive advantages over Vancocin.
In other news regarding Vancocin, ViroPharma said that as a result of increased demand for the drug during the first nine months of 2005, it entered into an agreement in November with Lilly to increase the amount of Vancocin that Lilly will supply to the company during 2005 and early 2006.
The agreement ensures that Lilly will continue to supply ViroPharma with Vancocin until at least Sept. 30, 2006.
Based in Exton, Pa., ViroPharma develops and markets drugs focused on viral diseases, including cytomegalovirus and hepatitis C.
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