Dechra and Piedmont Sign License Agreement for Soft Chew Veterinary Pharmaceutical Product

July 12th  2010 – Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC, a UK listed veterinary pharmaceutical company, and Piedmont Pharmaceuticals LLC, a US based specialty pharmaceutical company, signed an agreement for Piedmont to provide its soft chew formulation for companion animal drug delivery to Dechra. The agreement will allow Dechra to conduct studies necessary to achieve regulatory filings and government approvals within the US, Europe and other key countries. Dechra will hold exclusive worldwide rights for the sale and distribution of a veterinary product containing the proprietary soft chew formulation.

Piedmont’s soft chew formulation is a unique delivery technology which overcomes the traditional problems in formulating a broad range of active drug compounds in a highly palatable chewy treat for both cats and dogs. Piedmont’s experienced founders have developed or launched companion animal pharmaceutical products which account for one in every ten dollars spent by pet owners in the US today.

“We are very excited about licensing this unique delivery technology, which will be the first soft chew product with this new patent pending technology in the veterinary market,” stated Ian Page, CEO of Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC. “The agreement will provide Dechra with the opportunity to expand our presence in the companion animal market with a truly differentiated product”

Roland Johnson, Chairman and CEO of Piedmont Pharmaceuticals stated, “This is our initial development partnership for our soft chew technology and we welcome the opportunity to license our technology to Dechra. Our goal is to provide pet owners the added benefit of a tasty treat at medicine time, creating a fun and rewarding interaction, while improving compliance with the vet prescribed treatment regimen”

About Dechra Pharmaceuticals
Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC is an international pharmaceutical business focused on the veterinary market, with its key area of specialisation being the development and marketing of companion animal products. For more information about Dechra, please visit http://www.dechra.com/

About Piedmont Pharmaceuticals:
Piedmont Pharmaceuticals LLC (www.piedmontpharma.com) is a Greensboro, N.C.-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on human and animal health therapeutics with expertise in parasitology and drug delivery systems.  The company’s currently commercialized products and advanced development program leverage unique modes of action and proprietary delivery technologies.  Piedmont Pharmaceuticals develops new formulations, uses and delivery vehicles for known active pharmaceutical compounds for human and companion animal health markets.