Ashfield Commercial and Medical Services has been selected by hormone diseases specialist Diurnal to support the launch of its first product, Infacort (hydrocortisone).
Working with fellow UDG Healthcare company Sharp Packaging, Ashfield will begin pre-launch activities across Europe in anticipation of the chronic endocrine disease therapy’s projected 2018 launch – the UK pharma firm having submitted Infacort for EMA approval in December last year.
Mark Gibson, director of international business at Ashfield, said: “We are delighted to be working with Diurnal on launching their products across key European markets.
“We will be able to support Diurnal in successfully launching treatments for chronic endocrine diseases and ultimately be able to make a difference to the lives of these patients.”
The pharma services provider will be responsible for building Diurnal’s sales and medical infrastructure in several major EU markets, with the next 12 months focused on establishing a network of medical liaison staff to pave the way for the hormone replacement therapy.
Dr Martin Whitaker, chief executive of Diurnal, added: “We are confident the agreements with Ashfield and Sharp will help ensure the prompt and effective market introduction of Infacort following its anticipated approval in Europe.
“[The deals are] another key step in realising our ambition of becoming the world’s leading specialty pharma company in endocrinology.”