Hikma signs syringe supply deal with Unilife Corp

20th Nov 2013 07:08

Pharmaceuticals group Hikma has signed a 15-year commercial supply deal with US firm Unilife Corporation for the use of its Unifill prefilled syringes.Pennsylvania-based Unilife will supply Hikma with customised prefillable syringes to be used with a range of the FTSE 250 group's generic injectable products.Hikma will pay a total of $40m through installments to Unilife, which will start sales in early 2014.Hikma explained that conventional prefilled devices prevent universal attachment with any ISO standard needle hub or IV connector. They are also associated with patient safety risks including spontaneous disconnection and the leakage or occlusion of medication."The superior design of Unilife's Unifill Nexus addresses these issues and Hikma believes this differentiated offering will become the preferred choice for delivering injectable drugs safely and effectively," the firm said.Hikma Chief Executive Said Darwazah said he is "extremely pleased" with the contract which "supports our strategy of developing higher value products". "We look forward to leveraging Unilife's innovative platform of Unifill syringes to differentiate our injectable products, strengthen our competitive position and increase our market share."BC