Basilea Pharmaceutica implements previously announced program
focusing on key value drivers
Basel, Switzerland, February 11, 2009 - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd.
(SIX:BSLN) implements previously announced plans to strengthen
commercialization and focuses on high priority programs.
Basilea has implemented its previously announced plans to focus
resources on commercialization. The company plans to add a total of
approximately one hundred new positions world-wide as its products
are launched in additional countries. At the same time the company is
focusing on high priority programs. As a result it will reduce
headquarter functions by nineteen positions and create seventeen new
positions in Switzerland. The company has reviewed the results of
consultation proceedings with employees. Employees whose positions
were reduced have been transferred to new positions where possible.
Newly created positions will support the commercialization of
Toctino® and ZEFTERA(TM)/Zevtera(TM) internationally and the
development of Basilea's phase III programs. The company continues to
focus on bringing its innovative later-stage research programs
rapidly into the clinic.
About Basilea
Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland,
and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX:BSLN). Basilea's integrated
research and development operations are currently focused on new
antibacterial, antifungal and oncology agents to fight drug
resistance and on the development of dermatology drugs. Basilea's
products are targeted to satisfy high medical and patient needs in
the hospital and specialty care setting. The company owns a
diversified portfolio including two commercialized drugs
(alitretinoin, ceftobiprole) and one investigational drug in phase
III (isavuconazole). Toctino® (alitretinoin) is marketed in the
United Kingdom, Denmark and Germany and is approved in Finland and
France. Alitretinoin has been recommended for approval in six
additional EU Member States and is under regulatory review in Canada
and Switzerland. Furthermore a phase III clinical trial on
alitretinoin for the treatment of severe chronic hand eczema is
ongoing in the U.S. Ceftobiprole is marketed in Canada under the
brand name ZEFTERA(TM) and in Switzerland under Zevtera(TM). It
received a positive opinion from the European Committee for Medicinal
Products for Human Use. The company has submitted marketing
applications for ceftobiprole in the U.S. and several other
countries. The company has set up commercial organizations in UK,
Denmark, Germany and Canada, while it is building sales and marketing
organizations in other countries to commercialize alitretinoin and to
co-promote ceftobiprole, subject to approval.
Ceftobiprole (ZEFTERA(TM)/Zevtera(TM)) is being developed through an
exclusive worldwide collaboration between Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd.
and Cilag GmbH International. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. has
exercised its option to co-promote ceftobiprole in the U.S., in
Canada and in the major European markets together with Ortho-McNeil,
Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the U.S.
and the respective Janssen-Cilag companies in Europe. Basilea
maintains an option to co-promote the drug in Japan and China.
Disclaimer
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain
forward-looking statements concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and
its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual
results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea
Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing
this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update
any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
For further information, please contact:
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| Media Relations | Investor Relations |
|----------------------------------+--------------------------------|
| Jean-Christophe Britt, Ph.D. | Barbara Zink, Ph.D., MBA |
| Corporate Communication & Public | Head Corporate Development |
| Relations | +41 61 606 1233 |
| +41 61 606 1354 | investor_relations@basilea.com |
| media_relations@basilea.com | |
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