Alliant Pharmaceuticals will copromote the oral suspension formulation of Sanofi-Aventis' antihistamine Allegra (fexofenadine) in the U.S., Alliant said Dec. 11.

Alliant told "The Pink Sheet" DAILY that the two-year agreement covers U.S. pediatricians and pediatric allergists; terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The new formulation cleared FDA Oct. 16 for the treatment of seasonal allergy symptoms in pediatric patients ages two to 11 and for chronic idiopathic urticaria in children six months to 11 years of age (¹ Also see "Allegra Franchise Adds Pediatric Oral Suspension" - Pink Sheet, 20 October, 2006.).

Sanofi has said that the product would launch in spring 2007. The company plans to position the drug as an antihistamine that "does not cause sedation at any dose."

The announcement follows Sanofi's decision earlier this year to cancel sales contracts with inVentiv and PDI (² Also see "InVentiv Will Redeploy Sanofi-Aventis Reps To Santarus By Year End" - Pink Sheet, 8 November, 2006.). The inVentiv contract included Allegra, although generic uptake caused the firm to downsize its sales and marketing team. Allegra lost pediatric exclusivity in November.

Alliant's pediatric-focused sales operation includes glucocorticoid steroid Orapred (prednisolone) and Orapred ODT (orally disintegrating tablets), manufactured by BioMarin, and Mallinckrodt's branded generic methylphenidate Methylin in both chewable tablet and oral solution formulations.

Alpharetta, Ga.-based Alliant is focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing proprietary products for the pediatric and pediatric specialty markets.

-Christopher Hollis (c.hollis@elsevier.com)

Alliant To Detail Allegra Oral Suspension

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