Chattanooga-based Chattem may bring Cialis to U.S. stores

photo Chattem

Chattanooga-based Chattem may bring the erectile dysfunction medicine Cialis to America's store shelves.

Chattem parent Sanofi and drug-maker Lilly today announced a licensing agreement to pursue regulatory approval to make Cialis available for over-the-counter sale.

Cialis now is sold by prescription only.

"It will be a big deal," said Chattem Chief Executive Zan Guerry.

Chattem already markets the allergy medicine Allegra for over-the-counter sales after regulators enabled it to be sold on a nonprescription basis. Allegra has become the top-ranked product for Chattem and has helped grow the company's workforce.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi acquires the exclusive rights to apply for approval of Cialis OTC in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Australia. Sanofi also holds exclusive rights to market Cialis OTC following Sanofi's receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.

If approved, Sanofi anticipates providing Cialis OTC after expiration of certain patents. Terms of the licensing agreement were not disclosed.

"This agreement provides us with an opportunity to work with Lilly, a leader in men's health, to transform how this important medicine is offered to millions of men throughout the world," said Vincent Warnery, senior vice president of the Global Consumer Healthcare Division for Sanofi in a statement. "The opportunity to forge an industry-leading partnership that adds to Sanofi Consumer Healthcare's leading portfolio and successful track record of over-the-counter switches reinforces consumer health care as a major growth platform for Sanofi."

See Thursday's Times Free Press for more.

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