Antares Pharma Announces LEO Pharma's Launch of OTREXUP (Methotrexate) Injection to Dermatologists for Adults with Psoriasis

Antares Pharma Announces LEO Pharma's Launch of OTREXUP (Methotrexate) Injection to Dermatologists for Adults with Psoriasis

-- LEO Pharma: A Global Leader In Dermatology And Topical Treatments For Psoriasis --

EWING, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 2014--
Antares Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATRS) today announced LEO Pharma's launch of OTREXUP to Dermatologists, the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved subcutaneous (SC) methotrexate (MTX) product for once weekly self-administration with an easy-to-use, single dose, disposable auto injector.

"We are very pleased that OTREXUP is now available for adult patients with severe recalcitrant psoriasis," said Paul K. Wotton, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. "Collaborating with LEO Pharma on the launch of OTREXUP gives Antares an opportunity to team up with a proven and successful commercial organization while LEO expands their portfolio with a new product in their field of expertise. With a dedicated sales force focused solely on the treatment of psoriasis and approximately 50,000 psoriasis patients enrolled in their QualityCare program, we believe LEO Pharma will be able to introduce and establish OTREXUP as an important new treatment option with significant growth potential in dermatology."

OTREXUP is indicated for use in adults who need symptomatic control of severe recalcitrant, disabling psoriasis that is not adequately responsive to other forms of therapy. OTREXUP is also indicated for adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an insufficient therapeutic response to or are intolerant of an adequate trial of first line therapy including full dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, or children with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. OTREXUP was approved by the FDA in October 2013.

"We are very excited to be working with Antares to bring OTREXUP to psoriasis patients in the US. The addition of the novel OTREXUP auto injector to the LEO Psoriasis Portfolio allows us to expand our offering in Dermatology and will help dermatologists and their patients manage a severe and debilitating condition," said John Koconis, President and Chief Executive Officer LEO Pharma Inc.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that most commonly appears as raised, red patches with a white build-up of dead skin cells. Psoriasis can affect skin on any part of the body and occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is considered recalcitrant psoriasis when it does not respond to therapy, and can be disabling. Psoriasis is generally considered to be severe if it covers more than 5%-10% of body surface, recalcitrant when it does not adequately respond to treatment and disabling when it interferes with basic functions such as self-care, walking, sleep, etc.

"As many as 7.5 million patients have psoriasis in the United States and many of them have severe, disabling recalcitrant disease. Methotrexate can be an important treatment option to consider when treating these patients. The greater bioavailability of subcutaneous methotrexate may provide benefits for many of these patients who have had an inadequate response to oral methotrexate due to either tolerability or efficacy," said Robert E Kalb, M.D., Buffalo Medical Group, PC; Clinical Professor of Dermatology, State University of New York at Buffalo.

For full prescribing information please visit WWW.OTREXUP.COM

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

OTREXUP is a single-dose auto-injector containing a prescription medicine, methotrexate. Methotrexate is used to:

   -- treat certain adults with severe, active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and
      children with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA),
      after treatment with other medicines including non-steroidal
      anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) have been used and did not work well.

   -- control the symptoms of severe, resistant, disabling psoriasis in adults
      when other types of treatment have been used and did not work well.
OTREXUP should not be used for the treatment of cancer.

OTREXUP should not be used for the treatment of children with psoriasis.

Methotrexate includes the following boxed warning:

OTREXUP can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:

   -- Organ system toxicity. People who use methotrexate for the treatment of
      cancer, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis, have an increased risk of
      death from organ toxicity. Types of organ toxicity can include:
      gastrointestinal, bone marrow, liver, immune system, nerve, lung, kidneys
      and skin.Your doctor will do blood tests and other types of tests before
      you take and while you are taking OTREXUP to check for signs and symptoms
      of organ toxicity. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the
      following symptoms of organ toxicity: vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores,
      fever, confusion, weakness, temporary blindness, seizures, headache, back
      pain, neck stiffness, paralysis, irritability, sleepiness, and problems
      with coordination, dry cough, trouble breathing and severe skin rash.
   -- Women who are pregnant are at increased risk for death of the baby and
      birth defects. Women who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant must
      not take OTREXUP. A pregnancy test should be performed before starting
      OTREXUP.Contraception should be used by both females and males while
      taking OTREXUP. Pregnancy should be avoided if either partner is
      receiving OTREXUP:

          -- For a minimum of 3 months after treatment with OTREXUP for males.

          -- During and for at least 1 menstrual cycle after treatment with
             OTREXUP for females.
What are the possible side effects of OTREXUP?

OTREXUP may cause serious side effects, including:

See "What is the most important information I should know about OTREXUP?"

   -- Fertility problems. Methotrexate, the active ingredient in OTREXUP, may
      affect your ability to have a baby. Males may have a decreased sperm
      count, and females may have changes to their menstrual cycle. This can
      happen while taking OTREXUP and for a short period of time after you
      stop.

   -- Certain cancers. Some people who have taken methotrexate have had a
      certain type of cancer called Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other tumors.
      Your doctor may tell you to stop taking OTREXUP if this happens.

   -- Tissue and bone problems. Taking Methotrexate while having radiation
      therapy may increase the risk of your tissue or bone not receiving enough
      blood. This may lead to death of the tissue or bone.
Common side effects of OTREXUP include: nausea, stomach pain, indigestion (dyspepsia), mouth sores, and rash.

What should I tell my doctor before taking OTREXUP?

Before you take OTREXUP, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions. Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

OTREXUP may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how OTREXUP works causing side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of medicines if you are not sure.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of OTREXUP. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call you doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. For more information, go to www.OTREXUP.com or call 1-855- OTREXUP (1-855-687-3987).

About LEO Pharma

LEO Pharma helps people achieve healthy skin. By offering care solutions to patients in more than 100 countries globally, LEO Pharma supports people in managing their skin conditions. Founded in 1908 and owned by the LEO Foundation, the healthcare company has devoted decades of research and development to delivering products and solutions to people with skin conditions. LEO Pharma is headquartered in Denmark and employs 4,800 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.leo-pharma.com.

About Antares Pharma

Antares Pharma focuses on self-administered parenteral pharmaceutical products. The Company has received marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for OTREXUP (methotrexate) injection for the treatment of adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis, children with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis and adults with severe recalcitrant psoriasis. Antares Pharma is also developing VIBEX QS T for testosterone replacement therapy. The Company's technology platforms include VIBEX disposable Medi-Jet, disposable multi-use pen injectors and reusable needle-free injectors marketed as Tjet and Zomajet by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd (Teva) and Ferring Pharmaceuticals (Ferring), respectively. Antares Pharma has a multi-product deal with Teva that includes Tev-Tropin [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] human growth hormone (hGH), VIBEX epinephrine and several other products. Antares Pharma's partnership with Ferring includes Zomacton hGH (somatropin) injection. In the U.S. Antares has received FDA approval for Gelnique 3% (oxybutynin) gel, a treatment for overactive bladder that is marketed by Actavis. Elestrin(R) (estradiol gel) is FDA approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, and is marketed in the U.S. by Meda Pharma. Antares Pharma has two facilities in the U.S. The Parenteral Products Group located in Minneapolis, Minnesota directs the manufacturing and marketing of the Company's reusable needle-free injection devices and related disposables, and develops its disposable pressure-assisted Medi-Jet and pen injector systems. The Company's corporate office and Product Development and Commercial Groups are located in Ewing, New Jersey.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are indicated by the words "may," "will," "plans," "intends," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "potential," "could," "would," "should," and similar expressions and include statements regarding our expectations regarding the launch of OTREXUP. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, difficulties or delays in the commercial launch of OTREXUP, market acceptance by physicians and patients of new products, delays in product development and changes or delays in the regulatory process for existing or new product candidates. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements is contained in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and in the Company's other periodic reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as required by law.


    CONTACT: Antares Pharma, Inc.
Jack Howarth

Vice President, Corporate Affairs

609-359-3016

[email protected]


    SOURCE: Antares Pharma, Inc.
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