GlaxoSmithKline sales and marketing update

GlaxoSmithKline disclosed in its 2Q11 earnings that it launched Horizant gabapentin enacarbil extended-release tablets in the U.S. to treat moderate to severe primary restless legs syndrome (RLS). The wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) for a once-daily 600 mg tablet of the transported prodrug of gabapentin is $3.30. The launch triggered a $30 million milestone payment to XenoPort Inc. (NASDAQ:XNPT, Santa Clara, Calif.) under a 2007 deal. Under a November 2010 amendment, XenoPort reacquired rights outside the U.S. to Horizant from GSK (see BioCentury, Nov. 15, 2010).

GSK also disclosed that it launched Trobalt retigabine in Germany, the U.K., Denmark and Switzerland as an adjunctive therapy for partial onset seizures in adult with epilepsy. Other national launches will take place over the coming months and the price will vary from country to country. Trobalt must be titrated, according to patient response. GSK has exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the potassium channel opener and potentiator of GABA from Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (NYSE:VRX; TSX:VRX, Mississauga, Ontario), which has a license from Meda AB (SSE:MEDAA, Solna, Sweden). ...