Optinose Announces XHANCE Co-Promotion Agreement with Kaléo

Rhea-AI Summary

Optinose (NASDAQ: OPTN) has announced a co-promotion agreement with kaléo to promote XHANCE® (fluticasone propionate), an exhalation nasal spray for treating nasal polyps in adults in the U.S. The partnership aims to expand promotional reach to nearly 6,000 healthcare professionals, with kaléo leveraging its established relationships in the allergy sector. Promotional activities are expected to commence in Q4 2020. This collaboration aims to enhance awareness and usage of XHANCE in the target audience.

Positive

• Co-promotion with kaléo expected to broaden marketing reach significantly.
• Access to nearly 6,000 prescribers, enhancing potential sales opportunities.

Negative

• Potential risks from COVID-19 may limit prescriber interactions and patient engagement.
• Dependence on kaléo's effectiveness in promoting XHANCE could impact outcomes.

YARDLEY, Pa., July 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Optinose (NASDAQ:OPTN), a pharmaceutical company focused on patients treated by ear, nose and throat (ENT) and allergy specialists, today announced the signing of an agreement with kaléo, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to building innovative solutions for serious and life-threatening medical conditions, to co-promote XHANCE^® (fluticasone propionate) exhalation nasal spray 93 mcg, for the treatment of nasal polyps in patients 18 years or older in the United States.  

"We are excited to partner with kaléo and leverage the strong relationships they have built with physicians in our target audience," said Vic Clavelli, Chief Commercial Officer of Optinose. "This co-promotion partnership will build upon that strength and help us grow our target audience’s appreciation for all XHANCE has to offer by efficiently broadening and deepening our promotional reach. I am confident that the kaléo sales team will complement and amplify the efforts of the Optinose team starting in the fourth quarter of this year."

“Our team is pleased to collaborate with Optinose on the promotion of XHANCE,” said Omar Khalil, kaléo’s General Manager of Allergy and Pediatrics. “The deep relationships we have developed over the years with allergists makes kaléo a natural fit for this innovative product that serves the needs of patients with this condition.”

Under the terms of the agreement, kaléo will promote XHANCE to an agreed-upon audience of office-based healthcare professionals, rapidly increasing promotional reach and frequency. The audience includes nearly 6,000 prescribers about half of whom are outside of the current Optinose called-on universe of approximately 10,000 healthcare professionals.  

About Optinose
Optinose is a global specialty pharmaceutical company focused on serving the needs of patients cared for by ear, nose and throat (ENT) and allergy specialists. To learn more, please visit www.optinose.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Important Safety Information

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hypersensitivity to any ingredient in XHANCE.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

• Local Nasal Effects: epistaxis, erosion, ulceration, septal perforation, Candida albicans infection, and impaired wound healing. Monitor patients periodically for signs of possible changes on the nasal mucosa. Avoid use in patients with recent nasal ulcerations, nasal surgery, or nasal trauma.
• Close monitoring for glaucoma and cataracts is warranted.
• Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, contact dermatitis, rash, hypotension, and bronchospasm) have been reported after administration of fluticasone propionate. Discontinue XHANCE if such reactions occur.
• Immunosuppression: potential increased susceptibility to or worsening of infections (e.g., existing tuberculosis; fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection; ocular herpes simplex). Use with caution in patients with these infections. More serious or even fatal course of chickenpox or measles can occur in susceptible patients.
• Hypercorticism and adrenal suppression may occur with very high dosages or at the regular dosage in susceptible individuals. If such changes occur, discontinue XHANCE slowly.
• Patients with major risk factors for decreased bone mineral content should be monitored and treated with established standards of care.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 3%) are epistaxis, nasal septal ulceration, nasopharyngitis, nasal mucosal erythema, nasal mucosal ulcerations, nasal congestion, acute sinusitis, nasal septal erythema, headache, and pharyngitis.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Strong cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, ketoconazole): Use not recommended. May increase risk of systemic corticosteroid effects.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS: Hepatic impairment. Monitor patients for signs of increased drug exposure.

INDICATION AND USAGE: XHANCE is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of nasal polyps in patients 18 years of age or older.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that are not historical facts are hereby identified as forward-looking statements for this purpose and include, among others, the expected commencement of promotional activities by kaleo in the fourth quarter of 2020; the potential benefits of the agreement, including without limitation, increased reach and frequency and the potential to grow appreciation for XHANCE in the target audience; as well as other statements regarding the Company's future operations, prospects, objectives and other future events. Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially and adversely from those indicated by such forward-looking statements including, among others: the COVID-19 environment restricting prescriber interactions and patient flow; the effectiveness of kaleo’s sales representatives in promoting XHANCE; physician and patient acceptance of XHANCE in the segment of prescribers to be called on by kaleo; and the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission - which are available at www.sec.gov. As a result, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Optinose Investor Contact
Jonathan Neely
jonathan.neely@optinose.com
267.521.0531

FAQ

What is the significance of the partnership between Optinose and kaléo?

The partnership aims to enhance the promotional reach of XHANCE, increasing awareness and potential sales by leveraging kaléo's established relationships with healthcare professionals.

When will the promotional activities for XHANCE begin?

Promotional activities are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2020.

What is XHANCE used for?

XHANCE is an exhalation nasal spray indicated for the treatment of nasal polyps in adults aged 18 years and older.

How many prescribers will kaléo target in promoting XHANCE?

kaléo will promote XHANCE to an audience of nearly 6,000 prescribers, many of whom are not currently reached by Optinose.

What risks are associated with the promotion of XHANCE?

Risks include potential limitations on prescriber interactions due to COVID-19, and the reliance on kaléo's sales representatives' effectiveness.