Novartis and Procter & Gamble have signed on the dotted line in a deal that sees the companies agree to co-promote the Swiss giant’s overactive bladder treatment, Enablex (darifenacin), in the US.

Under the terms of the deal, Novartis will continue to record revenues for Enablex and will pay P&G royalties based on the product’s performance, the Swiss firm said, adding that the agreement gives it access to an expanded saleforce and “additional resources” that should enable it to reach more doctors and their patients. The agreement also provides P&G and Novartis the option to collaborate on an over-the-counter commercialisation of Enablex, should they decide to progress down that route.

Enablex won the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration late last year to treat OAB with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency [[23/12/04b]], and is also approved in Europe, where it is known as Emselex [[27/10/04f]]. It works by selectively inhibiting the detrusor muscle that controls bladder contraction while sparing the receptors believed to be involved in central nervous system and cardiovascular function.