SB Gets Nicotine Clearance In China

SmithKline Beecham says that it has received marketing clearance fromthe Chinese Ministry of Health for a transdermal nicotine patch for smoking cessation, having already licensed the patch from Alza Corp for commercialization in most countries in the world. SB's chief operating officer Jean-Pierre Garnier pointed out that China has the most smokers of any nation in the world and that the company is committed to expanding the global market for smoking cessation products.

SB Acquires Another Patch SB has also reached agreement with Hoechst Marion Roussel and Alza to acquire the nicotine patch Nicabate in Australia. It is the best-selling patch of its type in the USA, and HMR and Alza will continue to market the product there, where it is sold under the brand name Nicoderm CO. Mitch Cybulski, SB International's chairman, said that recent regulatory changes have allowed greater consumer access to the smoking control products in Australia, adding that the company "is in a unique position" to expand the markets there.