Genentech and OSI's hiring for the Tarceva sales force is "essentially complete" ahead of an expected Jan. 30 FDA review decision.

"Hiring of our sales force is essentially complete," Genentech told investors Nov. 10 at the CIBC World Markets Healthcare Conference in New York.

"Ninety percent of the new hires are coming from outside of the company and OSI will be providing at least 25% of the combined sales force effort," the company said.

OSI is expanding its 30-member sales force and will provide detailing support under a June 16 commercialization agreement (¹ Also see "Tarceva Sales Effort Will Be Led By Genentech; OSI To Provide 25% Of Reps" - Pink Sheet, 16 June, 2004.).

The companies expect to launch Tarceva (erlotinib) for second- and third-line non-small cell lung cancer during the first quarter of 2005.

Genentech said wholesaler contracts are in the process of being finalized to ensure product availability at the time of the launch.

"Wholesaler contracts are also being finalized to ensure that there will be product available to the pharmacies at launch," Genentech said.

CVS announced during its earnings call Nov. 4 that Genentech selected its specialty division PharmaCare as one of the two preferred specialty pharmacies to distribute Tarceva.

Genentech estimates the population of second- and third-line metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients is about 41,000 patients.

- Lee Kalowski

Genentech/OSI Tarceva Sales Force Hiring "Essentially Complete"

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