MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Cipher Pharmaceutiquired to build its commercial infrastructure in Canada.

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Product Update

Absorica^™/Epuris^™ (CIP-ISOTRETINOIN)
Absorica^™ was released in the U.S. market in late November 2012.  The product has performed strongly to date, achieving 13.1% market share by June 2013, based on total isotretinoin prescriptions.  In addition, the overall U.S. isotretinoin market continues to show growth. Prescriptions increased by 15%² in the first half of 2013 and by 17%³ in Q2 2013, over the comparable periods in the prior year.

The product was also approved by Health Canada in Q4 2012 under the trade name Epuris^™. Cipher launched Epuris^™ in June 2013, supported by a field sales force of six fully dedicated representatives.

Lipofen^® (CIP-FENOFIBRATE)
In Q2 2013, Lipofen^® prescriptions were 6% below Q2 2012 levels, however, Cipher's royalty increased over the period due to the 3% increase in the royalty rate compared to prior year. Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Cipher's U.S. marketing partner for Lipofen^®, plans to continue to promote the product in a second detail position throughout the remainder of 2013.

ConZip^®/Durela^® (CIP-TRAMADOL ER)
Cipher's extended-release tramadol is marketed in the U.S. by Vertical Pharmaceuticals under the trade name ConZip^®. In Q1 2013, Vertical expanded its sales force from 60 to 75 representatives, which has contributed to improved performance. In Q2 2013, prescriptions grew 5% compared to Q2 2012.  In Canada, Medical Futures launched the product in March 2012 under the trade name Durela^®, with a dedicated sales force comprising 22 representatives. The product demonstrated steady improvement and market share growth during Q2 2013.

Cipher is actively pursuing marketing partners for CIP-TRAMADOL ER and CIP-ISOTRETINOIN in other territories, including Latin America. During Q2 2013, Cipher granted the Latin American distribution rights to CIP-TRAMADOL ER to Tecnofarma International Ltd. Tecnofarma, headquartered in Uruguay, operates in 18 Latin American countries and following regulatory approval, plans to launch the product in several jurisdictions, including Brazil and Mexico.

Other Products
In Q3 2012, Cipher obtained exclusive license and distribution rights in Canada to market the Betesil^® Patch, a novel, patent-protected, self-adhesive medicated plaster for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as plaque psoriasis. The efficacy and safety of the Betesil^® Patch has been established in three successful phase III trials, and the product is currently marketed in several European countries. Cipher is working toward completion of a New Drug Submission for the product and will provide additional detail on expected timelines and plans in the coming months.

In addition, the Company is seeking other late-stage to commercial-stage product candidates targeting specialty markets to support its commercial marketing and sales presence in Canada.

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Notice of Conference Call

Cipher will hold a conference call today, July 31, 2013, at 8:30 a.m (ET) to discuss its financial results and other corporate developments. To access the conference call by telephone, dial 647-427-7450 or 1-888-231-8191. A live audio webcast of the call will be available at www.cipherpharma.com. The webcast will be archived for 90 days.

About Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Cipher Pharmaceuticals (TSX: DND; OTC: CPHMF) is a growing specialty pharmaceutical company with three commercial products and a fourth in development. Our product candidates are typically improved formulations of successful, currently marketed drugs. We in-license a product, manage the required clinical development and regulatory approval process, and either out-license it to a marketing partner, or, in Canada, we may market the product ourselves. Our core capabilities are in clinical and regulatory affairs, product licensing, supply chain management, and marketing and sales. Since the Company was founded in 2000, we have achieved final regulatory approval in the U.S. and Canada for all three of our original products and completed six marketing partnerships, generating growing licensing revenue.

Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Condensed Interim Financial Statements

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
(Unaudited)

SOURCE Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc.