Bachem and Debiopharm has announced the conclusion of a follow-up agreement for the long-term supply of Triptorelin
Pamoate. Bachem has been supplying Triptorelin Pamoate, the active ingredient for
Debiopharm’s Decapeptyl® (Trelstar® in the USA), for the treatment of prostate cancer,
endometriosis and premature puberty for over 15 years, initially on an individual order basis,
since March 2006 in the frame of a long-term supply agreement.
In view of the favourable
development of Decapeptyl, the initial supply contract has been revisited. Under the terms
of the follow-up agreement, Bachem will continue to supply Debiopharm with agreed quantities
of Triptorelin Pamoate at fixed conditions. The delivery quantities are defined on the basis
of detailed planning models and are supplied by Bachem through a call order.
Walter Isler, head of marketing and sales with Bachem, commented, “We are very satisfied
with having fully met the accelerated supply schedule of our partner and look forward to
further supporting Debiopharm in continued growth of Decapeptyl.”
Betrand Ducrey, CEO of Debio R.P., stated, “We highly appreciate the reliability, flexibility
and support of Bachem who has over years delivered consistent quality and increasing
quantities of active ingredient for Decapeptyl as and when needed. We therefore look forward
to continuing our partnership on the basis of mutual trust and permanent dialogue.”
About Decapeptyl
Triptorelin was licensed-in from Tulane University in 1982. Debiopharm developed and registered
a one- and three-month sustained release formulation of Triptorelin Pamoate in Europe and
the US. The product is now marketed worldwide for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer,
endometriosis, precocious puberty, in-vitro fertilisation programs and uterine fibroids.
The 2008 licensee sales were in excess of $400 million. In September 2008, Debiopharm submitted a new drug application (NDA) for a new six-month-formulation of Decapeptyl in locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer with the
European registration agencies and with the US FDA. Given previous market success and
the efforts of Debiopharm to extend indications with the new formulation, prospects for
Triptorelin Pamoate remain highly promising.