VALLEY FORGE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6,
2004--AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE:ABC) today announced that
its Specialty Group's ASD Healthcare unit has signed a ten-year
agreement with ID Biomedical Corporation (TSX: IDB; NASDAQ: IDBE) to
distribute influenza vaccine in the United States. The agreement
includes a commitment to purchase at least 12 million doses per year
of Fluviral, ID Biomedical's influenza vaccine, provided the Canadian
company gains United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval
to produce the vaccine and the amount is available. Although pricing
will vary annually, distributor acquisition costs currently are
generally $7.00 to $8.00 a dose. ID Biomedical is the largest producer
of influenza vaccine for the Canadian market.
"We are very excited about this agreement, because it helps to
improve the availability of flu vaccine for our customers and their
patients," said Steven Collis, Senior Vice President and President
AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group. "Besides further diversifying the
sources of this important vaccine, the agreement allows ASD Healthcare
to expand its customer base in a market we expect to grow
significantly over the next few years."
AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group currently distributes available
flu vaccine to primarily hospitals and physician offices. The Group
also will continue to access the flu vaccine from other manufacturer
sources.
ID Biomedical expects Fluviral to be licensed in the U.S. by the
2007/2008 influenza season. However, if the FDA approves Fluviral on
an accelerated basis, it could be available in the 2005/2006 and/or
2006/2007 flu seasons.
About ID Biomedical
ID Biomedical is an integrated biotechnology company dedicated to
the development of innovative vaccine products. It operates in
research, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing from its
facilities in Canada and in the United States. ID Biomedical is
dedicated to becoming a premier vaccine company with significant
marketed products worldwide and an extensive pipeline in both clinical
and preclinical development.
ID Biomedical has a leading position in the Canadian influenza
market. It received a ten-year mandate from the Government of Canada
in 2001 to assure a state of readiness in the case of an influenza
pandemic and provide influenza vaccine for all Canadians in such an
event. It also currently supplies approximately 75% of the Canadian
government's influenza vaccine purchases.
For further information on ID Biomedical, please visit the
Company's website at www.idbiomedical.com.
About AmerisourceBergen
AmerisourceBergen(R) (NYSE:ABC) is one of the largest
pharmaceutical services companies in the United States. Servicing both
pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers in the
pharmaceutical supply channel, the Company provides drug distribution
and related services designed to reduce costs and improve patient
outcomes. AmerisourceBergen's service solutions range from pharmacy
automation, bedside medication safety systems, and pharmaceutical
packaging to pharmacy services for skilled nursing and assisted living
facilities, reimbursement and pharmaceutical consulting services, and
physician education. With more than $48 billion in operating revenue,
AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, and employs
more than 14,000 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #22 on the
Fortune 500 list. For more information, go to
www.amerisourcebergen.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release may contain certain "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements
are based on management's current expectations and are subject to
uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary
materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements may include statements
addressing AmerisourceBergen's future financial and operating results.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to
differ materially from those described in any forward-looking
statements: competitive pressures; the loss of one or more key
customer relationships; customer insolvencies; changes in customer
mix; changes in pharmaceutical manufacturers' pricing and distribution
policies or practices; regulatory changes; changes in U.S. government
policies (including changes in government policies pertaining to drug
reimbursement); changes in market interest rates; and other economic,
business, competitive, regulatory and/or operational factors affecting
the business of AmerisourceBergen generally.
More detailed information about these factors is set forth in
AmerisourceBergen's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2003.
AmerisourceBergen is under no obligation to (and expressly
disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter any forward looking
statements whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
CONTACT: AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Valley Forge
Michael N. Kilpatric, 610-727-7118
mkilpatric@amerisourcebergen.com
SOURCE: AmerisourceBergen Corporation