GLUMETZA tablets are now available to wholesalers and physicians

Jan 5 2011

Santarus, Inc. and Depomed, Inc. today announced that supply of GLUMETZA^® 500 mg (metformin HCl extended release tablets) to wholesalers and retailers has resumed. GLUMETZA is a once-daily, extended release formulation of metformin and is approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

GLUMETZA 500 mg and GLUMETZA 1000 mg are promoted in the U.S. by Santarus through a promotion agreement with Depomed. GLUMETZA 1000 mg has remained available through pharmacies without supply interruption.

"We are pleased that GLUMETZA 500 mg is again fully available to patients and physicians," said Depomed president and chief executive officer Carl A. Pelzel. "We would like to thank everyone at Depomed, Santarus and other involved parties for their hard work on the corrective actions associated with the June 2010 recall at the wholesale level that led to the supply disruption and their efforts on the resupply."

Santarus president and chief executive officer Gerald T. Proehl said, "Our commercial organization is prepared and enthusiastic about promoting the GLUMETZA 500 mg dosage strength to physicians. GLUMETZA 500 mg plays an important role in the process of titrating new patients to the targeted optimal dose for metformin of 2000 mg daily. At the time of the supply interruption last June, GLUMETZA 500 mg comprised approximately 60 percent of GLUMETZA net sales and we expect it to be a significant contributor to Santarus' future GLUMETZA promotion revenues."