Abbott Laboratories and Napro Biotherapeutics file paclitaxel ANDA

Abbott Laboratories and NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc. announced today that they have filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for paclitaxel, the most widely used anticancer compound in the United States.

"Abbott is building a superior portfolio of oncology products," said Christopher B. Begley, senior vice president, hospital products, Abbott Laboratories. "Submitting the paclitaxel ANDA is a major milestone in Abbott's plan to expand our presence in the oncology market."

"We are very hopeful that soon oncologists and cancer patients in the United States will have another high quality paclitaxel option," commented Leonard P. Shaykin, chairman and chief executive officer, NaPro BioTherapeutics.

Abbott Laboratories is a global, diversified health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceutical, diagnostic, nutritional and hospital products. Including employees from BASF's pharmaceutical business, the company now employs approximately 70,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. In 2000, the company's sales and net earnings were $13.7 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively, with diluted earnings per share of $1.78.

NaPro BioTherapeutics, Inc., headquartered in Boulder, Colo., is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, production and licensing of complex natural product pharmaceuticals as well as the development and licensing of novel genetic technologies for applications in agribiotechnology, pharmacogenomic, and human therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Source: Abbott Laboratories