GSK licenses OTC Xerclear; U.S. market excluded

LONDON GlaxoSmithKline on Wednesday announced an exclusive agreement for the over-the-counter rights to Medivir’s cold sore treatment Xerclear (acyclovir and hydrocortisone) in key global markets. The trade name in the U.S. market is Lipsovir, which was approved as a prescription remedy for the prevention of cold sores in July 2009.

Under the terms of the agreement, GSK gains exclusive rights to market and distribute non-prescription Xerclear as part of the Zovirax franchise, across multiple markets, including Europe, Russia, Japan, India, Australia and New Zealand. The agreement excludes North and South America, China, South Korea and Israel.

“This alliance demonstrates GSK’s ongoing commitment to invest in and expand our OTC business.  It will help strengthen our dermatology portfolio across multiple territories including several key emerging markets,” stated John Clarke, president, GSK Consumer Healthcare.

GSK will assume responsibility for funding ongoing and future development of Xerclear in all territories covered by the agreement.

Xerclear is the first and only topical herpes labialis (cold sores) treatment clinically proven to help prevent cold sore lesions appearing, GSK stated.