-- First solution formulation of oncolytic approved in United States --
LAKE FOREST, Ill., Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), the world leader in generic injectable pharmaceuticals, today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Topotecan Injection, the first solution formulation of the oncology drug approved in the United States. The medication is a generic version of Hycamtin®, which had 2010 U.S. sales of more than $140 million. Hospira's topotecan is indicated for treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) sensitive disease after failure of first-line chemotherapy.
The solution formulation of topotecan, with a concentration of 4 mg/4 ml, is designed to improve caregiver convenience and safety, and Hospira expects to launch the product by the end of February.
"Hospira's solution version of topotecan expands our portfolio of value-added generics," said Thomas Moore, president, U.S., Hospira. "We're excited to offer the medical community access to a lower-cost, more convenient version of this key oncolytic."
Hospira's specialty injectable pharmaceuticals (SIP) offering includes approximately 200 generic injectable drugs in many dosages and formulations. In addition, many of its products are available in popular differentiated presentations, several of which are proprietary, such as ADD-Vantage™ drug delivery system and iSecure™ prefilled syringes. Therapeutic segments include analgesia, anesthesia, anti-infectives, cardiovascular, oncology, emergency and other areas. Hospira also has robust pipelines of both generic and biosimilar drugs.
About Hospira
Hospira, Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company dedicated to Advancing Wellness™. As the world leader in specialty generic injectable pharmaceuticals, Hospira offers one of the broadest portfolios of generic acute-care and oncology injectables, as well as integrated infusion therapy and medication management solutions. Through its products, Hospira helps improve the safety, cost and productivity of patient care. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has approximately 14,000 employees. Learn more at www.hospira.com.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the growth opportunities for generic specialty injectable products. Hospira cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, legal, technological and other factors that may affect Hospira's operations and may cause actual results to be materially different from expectations include the risks, uncertainties and factors discussed under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Hospira's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Forms 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated by reference. Hospira undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or developments.
SOURCE Hospira, Inc.