Alza, Ivax deal

AZA will acquire from Ivax the U.S. and Canadian rights to Elmiron (pentosal polysulfate sodium) and three additional urology products for $75 million. AZA could pay additional fees over the next five years based on sales of Elmiron, an orally administered treatment to relieve bladder pain or discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis. Elmiron, which was launched in the U.S. 1996, had sales of $5 million in the first six months of 1997.

AZA's plans to file an IND with the FDA by the end of the year for its Oros Oxybutynin, an oral treatment for urinary incontinence, followed in the first quarter of 1988 by the launch of its second generation testosterone patch. ...