>Align Pharmaceuticals is a privately owned company that was recently founded to market newly approved drugs, Phase III compounds or currently marketed drugs that are undervalued in the marketplace.
However, as Align does not have its own internal sales-force infrastructure, its business model relies on outsourcing such functions to specialist companies, such as >PDI.
"We were looking for a strategic partner to help us build a company that can win in the marketplace without building our own infrastructure," said Bill Collins, CEO of Align.
"We are strategically committed to continuing to develop sales and marketing partnerships with emerging companies, whether US or internationally based, that are developing or licensing in drugs," said Larry Ellberger, PDI's Interim CEO.
As part of the initial three-year deal, PDI will provide Align with a sales team and other related fleet management and IT services. However PDI's sales team will be managed by Align's vice president of marketing.
Align currently has three drugs, two designed for xerostomia, dry mouth caused by radiation therapy or Sjogren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that causes dry mouth symptoms. The third product is approved to treat the symptoms of radiation dermatitis.
PDI's sales team will initially target radiation oncology and rheumatology physicians in the US.