-- Companies anticipate providing over-the-counter (OTC) product to treat erectile dysfunction after expiration of certain patents
PARIS and INDIANAPOLIS, May 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced an agreement to pursue regulatory approval of nonprescription Cialis (tadalafil). Cialis is currently available by prescription only worldwide for the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction (ED).
Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi acquires the exclusive rights to apply for approval of Cialis OTC in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia. Sanofi also holds exclusive rights to market Cialis OTC following Sanofi's receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. If approved, Sanofi anticipates providing Cialis OTC after expiration of certain patents. Terms of the licensing agreement were not disclosed.
"This agreement provides us with an opportunity to work with Lilly, a leader in men's health, to transform how this important medicine is offered to millions of men throughout the world," said Vincent Warnery, senior vice president, Global Consumer Healthcare Division, Sanofi. "The opportunity to forge an industry-leading partnership that adds to Sanofi Consumer Healthcare's leading portfolio and successful track record of over-the-counter switches reinforces consumer health care as a major growth platform for Sanofi."
"Millions of men worldwide trust Cialis to treat ED. We are pleased to work with Sanofi to pursue a path that could allow more men who suffer from ED to obtain convenient access to a safe and reliable product without a prescription," said David Ricks, senior vice president, Lilly, and president, Lilly Bio-Medicines. "Switching a medicine to over-the-counter is a highly regulated process that is data-driven and scientifically rigorous. Together with Sanofi, we look forward to working closely with regulatory authorities to define the proper actions and necessary precautions to help patients use over-the-counter Cialis appropriately."
Cialis was first approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2002, then by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2003, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Ultimately, Cialis has received approval in more than 120 countries for indications that vary by country, including erectile dysfunction and erectile dysfunction and the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Cialis reached $2.16 billion USD (EUR 1.58 billion) in worldwide sales in 2013 and has recorded total global sales of more than $14 billion USD (EUR 10.2 billion) since launch. To date, more than 45 million men worldwide have been treated with Cialis.
About Cialis
Currently only available with a prescription, Cialis is a tablet taken to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and both ED and the signs and symptoms of BPH. Cialis is the only PDE-5 inhibitor treatment that offers men a choice when it comes to treatment for erectile dysfunction – Cialis for use as needed and Cialis for once daily use. To learn more about Cialis, visit www.cialis.com.
Cialis is not for women or children. It is important to note that Cialis is not to be taken with medicines called "nitrates" such as isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate which are often prescribed for chest pain; or with recreational drugs called "poppers" like amyl or butyl nitrite, as the combination may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure; or if allergic to Cialis or Adcirca® (tadalafil), or any of its ingredients. Anyone who experiences any symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, should call a healthcare provider or get help right away.
About Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
ED is a medical condition in which a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection. It is very common: more than half of men over 40 years old have ED.[i]
About Sanofi Consumer Healthcare
Sanofi Consumer Healthcare is committed to providing consumers around the world with self-care solutions that empower them to better manage their health and well-being through leading brands in the areas of Allergy, Digestive health, Feminine care, Cough, cold, flu & sinus and Vitamins, minerals & supplements. We place people at the very heart of everything we do and strive to identify and fulfil their needs by delivering consumer insights-driven innovation, leveraging our medical & scientific heritage and our close collaboration with healthcare professionals, easing consumer access via switching relevant prescription medicines to over-the-counter solutions and applying the pharmaceutical quality standards delivered by our Group's global manufacturing network. In 2013, Sanofi Consumer healthcare achieved a EUR 3.0 billion ($4.1 billion USD) turnover representing a 5.2% growth vs. 2012 (constant exchange rates) and ranked #3 worldwide consumer healthcare player (Nicholas Hall- 2013).
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). To learn more about Sanofi, please visit us at www.sanofi.com.
About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at www.lilly.com and http://newsroom.lilly.com/social-channels.
Indications
Cialis is available via prescription only and is approved to treat erectile dysfunction, or ED (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg), and both ED and the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH (5 mg). Taking Cialis with finasteride when starting BPH treatment has been studied for 26 weeks. Cialis is not for women or children.
Important Safety Information for CIALIS® (tadalafil) tablets
What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About CIALIS?
Do not take CIALIS if you:
take medicines called "nitrates" such as isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate which are often prescribed for chest pain as the combination may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure
use recreational drugs called "poppers" like amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite
are allergic to CIALIS or ADCIRCA® (tadalafil), or any of its ingredients. Call your healthcare provider or get help right away if you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing
After taking a single tablet, some of the active ingredient of CIALIS remains in your body for more than 2 days. The active ingredient can remain longer if you have problems with your kidneys or liver, or you are taking certain other medications.
Stop sexual activity and get medical help right away if you get symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sex. Sexual activity can put an extra strain on your heart, especially if your heart is already weak from a heart attack or heart disease.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking CIALIS?
CIALIS is not right for everyone. Only your healthcare provider and you can decide if CIALIS is right for you. Ask your healthcare provider if your heart is healthy enough for you to have sexual activity. You should not take CIALIS if your healthcare provider has told you not to have sexual activity because of your health problems. Before taking CIALIS, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical problems, particularly if you have or ever had:
heart problems such as chest pain (angina), heart failure, irregular heartbeats, or have had a heart attack
high or low blood pressure or have high blood pressure that is not controlled
stroke
liver or kidney problems or require dialysis
retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic (runs in families) eye disease
severe vision loss, including a condition called NAION
stomach ulcers or a bleeding problem
a deformed penis shape or Peyronie's disease
an erection that lasted more than 4 hours
blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
Can Other Medicines Affect CIALIS?
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take especially if you take:
medicines called "nitrates" which are often prescribed for chest pain
alpha-blockers often prescribed for prostate problems
blood pressure medications
medicines for HIV or some types of oral antifungal medications
some types of antibiotics such as clarithromycin, telithromycin, erythromycin (several brand names exist, please contact your healthcare provider to determine if you are taking this medicine)
other medicines or treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED)
CIALIS is also marketed as ADCIRCA for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Do not take both CIALIS and ADCIRCA. Do not take sildenafil citrate (Revatio®)* with CIALIS.
What Should I Avoid While Taking CIALIS?
Do not use other ED medicines or ED treatments while taking CIALIS.
Do not drink too much alcohol when taking CIALIS (for example, 5 glasses of wine or 5 shots of whiskey). Drinking too much alcohol can increase your chances of getting a headache or getting dizzy, increasing your heart rate, or lowering your blood pressure.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of CIALIS?
The most common side effects with CIALIS are: headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose. These side effects usually go away after a few hours. Men who get back pain and muscle aches usually get it 12 to 24 hours after taking CIALIS. Back pain and muscle aches usually go away within 2 days. Call your healthcare provider if you get any side effect that bothers you or one that does not go away.
Uncommon but serious side effects include:
An erection that won't go away: If you get an erection lasting more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical help to avoid long-term injury.
In rare instances, men taking prescription ED tablets, including CIALIS, reported a sudden decrease or loss of vision or hearing (sometimes with ringing in the ears and dizziness). It's not possible to determine if these events are related directly to the ED tablets or to other factors. If you have a sudden decrease or loss of vision or hearing, stop taking any ED tablet, including CIALIS and call a healthcare provider right away.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
CIALIS does not:
cure ED
increase a man's sexual desire
protect a man or his partner from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV
serve as a male form of birth control
CIALIS is available by prescription only. For additional information, talk to your healthcare provider and please see the Full Prescribing Information, and Medication Guide. You may also learn more about Cialis at www.cialis.com.
* The brand listed is a trademark of its respective owner and is not a trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. The maker of this brand is not affiliated with and does not endorse Eli Lilly and Company or its products.
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[i] Feldman HA, Goldstein I, Hatzichristou DG, Krane RJ, McKinlay JB. Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. J Urol. 1994;151:54-61.