Singapore: Takeda Pharmaceutical, which has completed the acquisition of URL Pharma, will immediately assume responsibility for the marketing and promotion of Colcrys, the only FDA-approved single-ingredient oral colchicine product available in the US.

Takeda America Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical, has completed the acquisition of URL Pharma for an upfront payment of $800 million. The deal also includes an agreement for future performance-based contingent earn out payments. Colcrys (colchicine) is URL Pharma's leading product and an important therapy for the treatment and prevention of flares associated with gout.

URL Pharma will be managed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA and report to Mr Douglas Cole, president, Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA. The acquisition will result in an immediate increase in revenue with estimated FY 2012 net sales of more than $550 million, and continued growth of Colcrys sales is expected throughout the product's lifecycle. The addition of Colcrys strengthens Takeda's presence in the US by increasing the company's gout treatment portfolio to provide patients with more gout management options for acute and chronic aspects of the disease.

Colcrys complements Takeda's position in the gout marketplace with Uloric (febuxostat), used to lower blood uric acid levels in adults with gout. "The acquisition of URL Pharma is a meaningful opportunity that delivers on our commitment to strengthen Takeda's presence in the US by adding products that amplify our expertise in primary care," said Mr Cole. "This commitment allows us to broaden our focus for patients by providing multiple therapeutic offerings for gout, which affects more than eight million Americans."