Endo Licenses Topical Ketoprofen Patch

CHADDS FORD, Pa., March 14 -- Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc. ( NASDAQ = ENDP ) , announced today that it has entered into an agreement with ProEthic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the U.S. and Canadian rights to develop and commercialize a once-daily ketoprofen-containing topical patch. Ketoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) generally used for the treatment of inflammation and pain and available in the U.S. only in oral form. Currently in Phase II clinical trials in the U.S., the ketoprofen patch is being developed for the localized treatment of acute pain associated with soft-tissue injuries such as tendonitis or joint sprains and strains. Two Phase III placebo-controlled studies in soft-tissue injury and ankle sprains have been completed in Europe by ProEthic's European partner Applied Pharma Research AG, with statistically significant results.

"We believe that the topical ketoprofen patch, which bypasses the bloodstream, could also offer the added benefit of targeted pain control aimed directly at the injury site with the convenience of once-a-day dosing. We would expect that this has the potential to be an attractive product opportunity compared to systemic agents," said Peter A. Lankau, ... // 80% Remaining