Novartis To Take Back Lamisil Chinese Rights From GSK
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
The seven-year itch has struck the successful partnership between Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline. In 2001, GSK's subsidiary in China TSKF secured the rights to develop Lamisil (terbinafine) tablet from Novartis, as well as to produce and sell Lamisil cream. GSK was able to expand the drug's market share in the country rapidly from 2 percent to 12 percent. However, Novartis recently confirmed that it has granted exclusive selling rights for the tablet in China to Profex, a dermatology products company based in Shanghai. Novartis has been strengthening its OTC sector and one priority is to get back itsLamisil cream. GSK is not surrendering the product immediately; meanwhile, it is sparing no effort in promoting its own dermatology drug Bactroban (mupirocin). (Click here for more - Chinese Language)