Roussel-Uclaf to transfer RU 486 rights.

PIP: On April 8, the German pharmaceutical firm Hoechst, under pressure from anti-abortion groups that were boycotting its new allergy medication, Allegra, announced the transfer of the patent rights for the abortifacient mifepristone (RU-486), from Roussel-Uclaf, its subsidiary, to Dr. Edouard Sakiz, a former executive who had been involved in the development of the drug. Dr. Sakiz has established a new company, Exelgyn, to market the drug, which, due to strict company guidelines, is currently available only in France, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Residency requirements prevent women from traveling to these countries for treatment. Other countries desiring access to RU-486 must meet standards established by Dr. Sakiz: the government must make a formal request and provide a secure means of distribution and good follow-up care. A European manufacturer or distributor has not yet been found. In the United States, the Population Council, a nonprofit organization, has been licensed to manufacture and distribute the drug; it should be available to the general public by the end of this year. Anti-abortion groups continue to boycott all Hoechst products. The Allegra boycott was launched with an April 2 press conference; the groups, which include the National Right to Life Committee, bought full-page ads in "USA Today" and "The Washington Post."

PMID: 12292550 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]