Bayer has contracted 500 sales reps from Ventiv Health to drive the anticipated launch of Avelox I.V. (moxifloxacin) by the end of the year.

The reps will join Bayer's 1,200-rep primary care sales force, which markets Avelox, oral and I.V. Cipro (ciprofloxacin), and cholesterol agent Baycol (cerivastatin) to primary care physicians and community hospitals.

Bayer's sales force includes 500 reps from Professional Detailing Inc. who are focusing on the oral formulations of the drugs for physician practices.

The Ventiv reps will market Avelox and Cipro in a four-year revenue-sharing agreement with Bayer, whereby Ventiv will receive additional payments once agreed-upon sales milestones are met and exceeded.

While Ventiv reps will collaborate with the Bayer sales force in marketing the two antibiotics to primary care physicians, the Ventiv reps will constitute the primary presence in community hospitals, Bayer said. The company currently has a "limited number of sales reps" promoting Cipro in the community hospital market.

Avelox cleared FDA April 27 for the treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, and is being studied for complicated skin infections (¹ Also see "Bayer Avelox Uncomplicated Skin Infection Use Clears FDA" - Pink Sheet, 7 May, 2001.).

The NDA for the I.V. formulation of the drug was filed in November 2000, with an expected fall user-fee deadline. Bayer plans to launch Avelox immediately if the drug receives approval.

In addition, Bayer is developing a once-daily formulation of ciprofloxacin for bacterial infections of the urinary tract, currently in Phase III. The company expects to launch the product before patent expiration in December 2003 (² [A#00630130009]).

The 500 Ventiv reps will also help Bayer "prepare for the anticipated launches of new products this year and next year," the company noted. Bayer's first anticipated future launch is erectile dysfunction drug vardenafil, which is in Phase III, with an expected NDA filing by year-end.

Bayer Contracts 500 Ventiv Reps In Preparation For Avelox I.V. Launch

More from Archive

More from Pink Sheet