Watson to become commercial partner for emergency contraceptive

MORRISTOWN, N.J. Watson Pharmaceuticals and HRA Pharma have signed a deal whereby Watson will become the commercial partner for an emergency contraceptive undergoing regulatory review by the Food and Drug Administration, Watson announced Monday.

Watson and HRA signed the agreement for ulipristal acetate, also known as UPA, which HRA has marketed in Europe under the EllaOne brand since October 2009. According to data published in a recent issue of medical journal The Lancet comparing the drug with levonorgestrel in 1,696 women in the United States, Ireland and the United Kingdom, UPA provides emergency contraception effectively for up to five days after unprotected sex. Duramed Pharmaceuticals markets levonorgestrel under the Plan B brand, and Watson markets a generic version.

Under the terms of the agreement, Watson will make milestone payments to HRA and royalties on U.S. sales while taking responsibility for commercialization and marketing expenses.

“The opportunity to collaborate with HRA Pharma on the U.S. commercialization of UPA fits nicely within our broader strategy to expand our emerging position in women’s health care and to provide women with a vast array of safe, effective treatment options in contraception as well as other important therapeutic areas,” Watson EVP global brands Fred Wilkinson said. “The published clinical results are significant, and we are optimistic about the prospects of providing U.S. women with a new emergency contraceptive option.”