Allergan, Inc. (NYSE:AGN) today announced that it has
received the license from the European Commission to market
GANFORT(R), Allergan's LUMIGAN(R)/timolol combination product
(bimatoprost/timolol ophthalmic solution) for the treatment of
glaucoma, in the European Union.
"We are extremely pleased with the European Commission's approval
of GANFORT(R), which enables Allergan to provide physicians and
patients throughout Europe with a once-daily, highly-effective and
well-tolerated form of combination therapy for glaucoma," said Scott
Whitcup, M.D., Allergan's Executive Vice President, Research and
Development.
GANFORT(R) is indicated for the reduction of intraocular pressure
(IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who
are insufficiently responsive to topical beta-blockers or
prostaglandin analogues. A fixed combination of bimatoprost 0.03% and
timolol maleate 0.5%, GANFORT(R) offers powerful IOP-lowering efficacy
comparable to the free combination of these two agents, and greater
efficacy than monotherapy with either agent used alone. GANFORT(R)
also provides clinically important IOP control in a once-daily dose,
which is important for enhancing patient compliance - a key factor in
controlling glaucoma, a leading cause of preventable blindness
worldwide. In clinical trials, GANFORT(R) also had a superior
tolerability profile, including 40 percent less hyperemia compared to
bimatoprost monotherapy.
About Allergan, Inc.
Allergan, Inc., with headquarters in Irvine, California, is a
technology-driven, global health care company providing specialty
pharmaceutical and medical device products worldwide. Allergan
develops and commercializes products in the ophthalmology,
neurosciences, medical dermatology, medical aesthetics and other
specialty markets that deliver value to its customers, satisfy unmet
medical needs, and improve patients' lives.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements,"
including, among other statements, the statements by Dr. Whitcup,
statements regarding research and development outcomes, efficacy, and
market and product potential. These statements are based on current
expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove
inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual
results could vary materially from Allergan's expectations and
projections. Risks and uncertainties include general industry and
pharmaceutical market conditions; general domestic and international
economic conditions, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate
fluctuations; technological advances and patents obtained by
competitors; challenges inherent in product marketing such as the
unpredictability of market acceptance for new pharmaceutical and
biologic products and/or the acceptance of new indications for such
products; domestic and foreign health care reforms; the timing and
uncertainty of the research and development and regulatory processes;
trends toward managed care and health care cost containment; and
governmental laws and regulations affecting domestic and foreign
operations. Allergan expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to
update these forward-looking statements except as required to do so by
law.
Additional information concerning these and other risk factors can
be found in press releases issued by Allergan, as well as Allergan's
public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the discussion under the heading "Risk Factors" in
Allergan's 2005 Form 10-K and Allergan's Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 2006. Copies of Allergan's press releases and
additional information about Allergan is available on the World Wide
Web at www.allergan.com or you can contact the Allergan Investor
Relations Department by calling 1-714-246-4636.
