"Napo is committed to global access to crofelemer ”each and every country and patient in need," said Napo CEO Lisa Conte. "Napo prospectively negotiated rights in agreements with its licensees to ensure availability of this important medicine to emerging markets and the developing world, at the same time as in Western markets. Emerging markets for pharmaceutical sales are expected to grow at 17% over the next year, more than double the rate of the global market for pharmaceuticals. Napo welcomes Glenmark's commitment to bring crofelemer, its first NCE (new chemical entity), to emerging and developing markets. Napo is committed to that goal and is currently accelerating development of crofelemer for pediatric populations around the world, including those most vulnerable to severe disease and death from diarrhea dehydration."

Pediatric Applications for Crofelemer

Diarrhea is the second largest killer of children globally. Dehydration from watery diarrhea causes death in approximately two million children under age 5 each year, and measurable morbidity in hundreds of millions more. Napo estimates that pediatric diarrhea is the largest market opportunity and need in developing and emerging markets. Napo has established a global advisory board of key opinion leaders to work with Napo in its development of the pediatric indication of crofelemer. In addition to its focus on the growing private sector of emerging markets, Napo has formed alliances with Direct Relief International and others to make crofelemer accessible to every child in need. This program is recognized as a Clinton Global Initiative.

SOURCE Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.