LAKE FOREST, Ill., Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospira, Inc.
(NYSE: HSP), the world's leading provider of injectable drugs and
infusion technologies, today announced the U.S. launch of
imipenem-cilastatin for injection, I.V., the first generic version
of this key antibiotic to become available in the United States. The medication, a
carbapenem that belongs to the beta-lactam class of antibiotics, is
a generic version of Merck's Primaxin®, which had 2010 U.S. sales
of approximately $140 million.
Hospira's imipenem-cilastatin will be available in 250 mg and
500 mg flip-top vials.
"Hospira's imipenem-cilastatin is our second carbapenem on the
U.S. market, demonstrating Hospira's dedication to providing
generic alternatives in this important category of antibiotics,"
said Joshua Gordon, vice
president/general manager, Specialty Pharmaceuticals, Hospira.
"Hospira is committed to continuing to reduce the cost of
healthcare by providing savings with first-to-market generic
injectables."
Last year, Hospira launched meropenem, the first generic
carbapenem on the U.S. market. Carbapenem antibiotics have a U.S.
market value of approximately $600
million, based on IMS Health data. Hospira already sells
imipenem-cilastatin in Europe,
Japan and several other
countries.
Hospira's specialty injectable pharmaceuticals (SIP) offering
includes approximately 200 generic injectable drugs in many dosages
and formulations. In addition, many of its products are
available in popular differentiated presentations, several of which
are proprietary, such as ADD-Vantage™ drug delivery system and
iSecure™ prefilled syringes. Therapeutic areas include
analgesia, anesthesia, anti-infectives, cardiovascular, oncology,
emergency and other areas. Hospira also has robust pipelines of
both generic and biosimilar drugs.
About Hospira
Hospira, Inc. is the world's leading provider of injectable
drugs and infusion technologies. Through its broad, integrated
portfolio, Hospira is uniquely positioned to Advance Wellness™ by
improving patient and caregiver safety while reducing healthcare
costs. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has approximately
14,000 employees. Learn more at www.hospira.com.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 --
A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, including statements regarding the growth opportunities for
generic specialty injectable products. Hospira cautions that these
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive,
governmental, legal, regulatory, technological, manufacturing
supply, quality and other factors that may affect Hospira's
operations and may cause actual results to be materially different
from expectations include the risks, uncertainties and factors
discussed under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" in Hospira's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and
Forms 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
which are incorporated by reference. Hospira undertakes no
obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking
statements as the result of subsequent events or
developments.
SOURCE Hospira, Inc.