Quintiles to run sales team if opioid dependence drug approved
The drug is being assessed by the US FDA, which is expected to decide whter or not it will BDSI can sell it in the country onJune 7.
If Bunavail is approved, the company intends to launch the product in the latter part of third quarter of 2014. As part of the deal, Quintiles will offer a range of services to support the launch and subsequent commercialization of the treatment in the US.
Quintiles will be responsible for supporting the recruitment, training and deployment of a competitively sized sales force capable of reaching the physician base treating the majority of patients with buprenorphine for opioid dependence.
Quintiles did not respond to a request for comment.
Separately, BDSI has entered into an agreement with Ashfield Market Access, which will be responsible for executing a payer strategy aimed at maximizing patient access to Bunavail.
BDSI president and CEO Mark Sirgo said the company has been working with both Quintiles and Ashfield over the past year, and in conjunction with them have developed a commercial plan that will support a launch of Bunavail in the US later in 2014.
"Both Quintiles and Ashfield Market Access have an excellent history of supporting companies like BDSI in successfully launching and commercializing important new products," Sirgo said.
