BARCELONA, Spain, September 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Almirall's internationalisation process continues with its arrival in the 8^th largest pharmaceutical market
  
• Respiratory and dermatology are key therapeutic areas for future growth
  
• Aclidinium will be co-promoted with Forest

Almirall S.A. (ALM.MC) announced the opening of a new affiliate in Canada establishing direct presence in the North American territory for the first time. The affiliate is located in Toronto, an area highly regarded for its biopharmaceutical expertise. 

"Almirall will now have the opportunity to make directly available to Canadian patients a range of innovative medicines, especially in the respiratory and dermatology fields," Eduardo Sanchiz, Chief Executive Officer at Almirall, announces. "This is another milestone in our internationalisation process: a substantial challenge that we take on with enthusiasm," he adds.

In the Canadian pharmaceutical business (ranking as the 8th largest globally)^[1], respiratory and dermatology are major markets. These are both key therapeutic areas for Almirall too, and on which its R&D has a particular focus.

Aclidinium - Almirall's recently approved drug for COPD in US and Europe - will be one of the drugs rolled-out in Canada, where the Aclidinium respiratory franchise will be co-promoted with Forest. Financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.

With the opening of its 13th affiliate, Almirall takes another step further in its internationalisation process.

About Aclidinium

Aclidinium bromide inhalation powder is an anticholinergic indicated for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. When given by inhalation, aclidinium produces bronchodilation by inhibiting the muscarinic M3 receptor in the airway smooth muscle. Aclidinium is rapidly hydrolyzed in human plasma into two major inactive metabolites.

It is administered using a multiple-dose dry powder inhaler. The inhaler has a colored control window and audible "click" which confirm successful inhalation of the dose and a dose indicator to let patients know the approximate number of doses remaining in the inhaler.

Almirall has licensed US rights for Aclidinium to Forest Laboratories, Inc., to Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd for Japan and to Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd for Korea. Almirall has recently given rights of joint commercialisation in the majority of European member states and a number of non-EU countries to Menarini. Almirall maintains rights for the rest of the world.

About Almirall

Almirall is an international pharmaceutical company based on innovation and committed to health. Headquartered in Barcelona, it researches, develops, manufactures and commercialises its own R&D and licensed drugs with the aim of improving people's health and wellbeing. Almirall focuses its research resources on respiratory, gastrointestinal, dermatology and pain. Almirall's products are currently present in over 70 countries in the five continents. With the opening of the Canadian affiliate, Almirall has now direct presence in Europe, Mexico and Canada through 13 affiliates.

For further information please visit: http://www.almirall.com

^[1]IMS Knowledge Link, MAT/Q1 2012

SOURCE Almirall