Avista Capital Partners-Backed Company to Continue Add-On Acquisition Strategy
Sayreville, NJ, March 24, 2014 – Vertical Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vertical /Trigen Holdings, LLC (“Vertical / Trigen”), today announced that it has acquired the rights to three branded women’s health products from Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Vertical / Trigen is a portfolio company of Avista Capital Partners.
The acquisition complements and further diversifies Vertical Pharmaceuticals’ existing women’s health franchise. The acquired products include: Divigel® (estradiol gel) 0.1%; Nexa® Plus, a branded line of prenatal vitamins; and Provella®, a women’s health focused probiotic dietary supplement. As part of the transaction, Upsher-Smith has transferred the New Drug Application (NDA) for Divigel® to Vertical Pharmaceuticals. The products will be marketed by Vertical Pharmaceuticals’ dedicated women’s health sales force.
“We are very excited to be expanding our position in the growing field of women’s health,” said Steven Squashic, CEO of Vertical / Trigen. “With these additions to our portfolio, we will be able to drive efficiencies through enhanced scale and further optimize our commercial infrastructure. We are confident that our highly experienced women’s health sales force will enable us to reach more patients and caregivers with these products.”
“This is a positive first step in our strategy to expand the Vertical / Trigen platform through add-on acquisitions,” said Brian Markison, Executive Chairman of Vertical / Trigen and Healthcare Industry Executive of Avista. “We will continue to pursue additional opportunities to acquire complementary assets in order to broaden our portfolio of high-quality products and accelerate the Company’s growth.”
Important Safety Information for Divigel®
What is the most important information I should know about Divigel® (an estrogen hormone)?
- Using estrogen-alone increases your chance of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are using Divigel®. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb). Your healthcare provider should check any unusual bleeding to find out the cause.
- Do not use estrogen-alone to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes or dementia (decline of brain function)
- Using estrogen-alone may increase your chances of getting strokes or blood clots
- Using estrogen-alone may increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women 65 years of age or older
- Do not use estrogens with progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes or dementia
- Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, or blood clots
- Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women 65 years of age or older
- You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment Divigel® should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus, had a stroke or heart attack; currently have or have had blood clots, currently have or have had liver problems, have been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder, are allergic to Divigel® or any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant.
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical problems and the medicines you take, if you are going to have surgery or will be on bed rest, and if you are breastfeeding.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms: new breast lumps, unusual vaginal bleeding, changes in vision or speech, sudden new severe headaches, or severe pains in your chest or legs with or without shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue.
Common side effects that may occur with Divigel® include headache; breast pain; irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting; stomach or abdominal cramps, bloating; nausea and vomiting; hair loss; fluid retention and vaginal yeast infection.
Serious but less common side effects include heart attack, stroke, blood clots, dementia, breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, ovarian cancer, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, gallbladder disease, liver problems, and enlargement of benign uterus tumors (“fibroids”).
Alcohol-based gels are flammable. Avoid fire, flame or smoking until the gel has dried. Please see Patient Information including Boxed Warning for Divigel® at www.divigel.com.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects to the FDA by visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
About Vertical / Trigen
Vertical Pharmaceuticals, LLC was founded in 2003 with a mission to develop, market, and acquire products offering therapeutic benefits for patients and healthcare providers. Vertical Pharmaceuticals supplies niche prescription pharmaceutical preparations, specializing in women’s health and pain management. Vertical’s prescription medications are marketed by its dedicated sales force throughout the United States.
Trigen Laboratories, LLC is a generic pharmaceutical company offering unique products across an increasing array of categories. Trigen seeks to bring value-driven generic products to its customers, working vigorously with its partners to identify and develop products which face an assortment of challenges. Additionally, Trigen identifies unique marketing opportunities and is steadfast in its pursuit to deliver products to best serve these markets.
About Avista Capital Partners
Avista Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm with approximately $6 billion under management. Founded in 2005, Avista makes controlling or influential minority investments in growth-oriented energy, healthcare, communications & media, industrials, and consumer businesses. Through its team of seasoned investment professionals and industry experts, Avista seeks to partner with exceptional management teams to invest in and add value to well-positioned businesses.