AUCKLAND: AFT Pharmaceuticals has announced the establishment of a new subsidiary in Ireland, to drive the growth of the company’s products in Europe.

AFT has appointed Eddie Townslie, an experienced pharma executive, as the local director of AFT Pharmaceuticals Europe.

Mr Townslie is also Managing Director of Ireland’s JED Pharma, which has been appointed the distributor of Maxigesic IV in Ireland. Prior to his current role Eddie was Export Director at diversified Irish pharmaceutical group Pinewood Healthcare.

AFT Managing Director Dr Hartley Atkinson said the decision to open a European representative office is a response to the ongoing growth in demand in the region for its Maxigesic product range.

“Maxigesic IV has now been submitted for registration in 27 European countries and 17 of these have been approved. As the number of registrations increases, so too will the need for AFT to provide local support to Licensees and Distributors such as regulatory services. Eddie is well placed to oversee this support and ensure AFT makes the most of the significant opportunities we see in the region.”

According to an independent report by DelveInsight published earlier this year, Maxigesic in its various dose forms has the potential to generate sales of more than $80 million across Europe’s major markets and the UK by 2028.

“We are also delighted to have secured agreements for Maxigesic IV distribution with Ireland’s Jed Pharmaceuticals for Ireland, along with Alliance Pharma in Thailand. We have concluded licensing agreements with Switzerland’s Acino for Maxigesic oral dose forms in Ecuador and Greek’s market leading Elpen Pharmaceuticals, along with distribution agreements with the Karachi-based Excel Healthcare Laboratories for Pakistan,” Dr Atkinson said.

“Acino distributes Maxigesic tablets in a broad range of countries including the Central American Common Market (CACM), while the relationship with Excel Healthcare Laboratories and Elpen is new.”

“We are delighted to continue to expand our partners for Maxigesic and Maxigesic IV around the world with the focus now moving to completion of any remaining regulatory actions and following that product launches,” Dr Atkinson said.

AFT is a growing multinational pharmaceutical business with a broad range of products, both developed itself and in-licensed from third parties. AFT’s products cover all major pharmaceutical distribution channels: over-the-counter, prescription and hospital.

Historically, AFT’s home markets have been Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia. However, the company is out-licensing its own products to licensees and distributors to sell in an increasing number of countries around the world. The company’s intensive Research and Development program forms the basis of its international sales strategy. www.aftpharm.com