Allergan sales increase 22% in first quarter

IRVINE, Calif. — Allergan Inc. reported net sales of $615.2 million for the first quarter of 2006, with sales increasing 22%, the company said in a press release. Botox (botulinium toxin A) posted sales of $223 million for the first quarter of 2006, a 46.7% increase from the first quarter of 2005.

Overall, eye care pharmaceuticals accounted for $361.9 million in sales during the quarter, led by glaucoma drug Lumigan (bimatoprost), with $72.9 million during the quarter, a 17.5% increase from the first quarter in 2005. Other glaucoma drugs Alphagan P (brimonidine tartrate), Alphagan (brimonidine 0.2%) and Combigan (0.1% brimonidine tartrate, 0.5% timolol maleate) combined for a total of $71 million in sales during the quarter, the company said, an increase of 6.4%. Dry eye drug Restasis (cyclosporine A) increased sales 77.1% during the quarter, to $66.1 million.

During the quarter, Allergan completed its acquisition of Inamed, which posted $99.4 million in sales for the first quarter. Inamed’s figures are not included in Allergan’s quarterly reports, the company said.

Other highlights for Allergan during the quarter included a recommendation that European regulators approve Ganfort, the company’s combination Lumigan and timolol product for the treatment of glaucoma. Allergan said it expects a final European decision some time this quarter.

Elsewhere, in a patent dispute, Alcon agreed to license two brimonidine-related patents from Allergan, beginning some time in 2009, according to the Allergan release.