Richter Announces Evra Distribution in Canada

Gedeon Richter Plc. and Searchlight Pharma Inc. have announced that Searchlight has assumed all Canadian distribution and promotional activities for Evra®, a transdermal contraceptive patch. This transition, which covers regulatory, distribution and promotional responsibilities in Canada, stems from the acquisition of ex-US rights to the Evra brand by Richter from Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, in December 2020.

The established and trusted contraceptive brand by the internationally renowned Hungarian pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter joins Searchlight’s growing portfolio in Canada that includes first-of-its kind combined oral contraceptive Nextstellis, vaginal contraceptive ring Haloette, and non-hormonal Mona Lisa IUD line.

Patients across Canada who trust and rely on Evra as their method of contraception can have continued confidence in access and supply given this recently concluded transaction. According to IQVIA CDH data, the Evra patch generated CAD 12 million in sales in Canada in the 2021 calendar year.

“Canadian women have long trusted the efficacy and safety of the Evra patch, as demonstrated by the brand’s durable share of the contraceptive market,” according to the President & CEO of Searchlight Pharma, Mark Nawacki. “Evra® is the only transdermal option in the Canadian market, thereby making it a critical product alternative to the universe of ethinyl estradiol-based pill products in Canada. We’re proud to partner with Richter, a company as committed to women’s health as Searchlight, to ensure that Canadian women and their health care providers remain empowered and with reliable access to options for the management of their contraceptive needs,” he added.

“It is with great satisfaction that we acknowledge the folding out of yet another global success story for Richter’s core Women’s Healthcare business,” the Executive Chairman of Gedeon Richter, Erik Bogsch stated. „We are confident that Searchlight Pharma will deliver excellent services to Canadian women embracing this lifestyle product.”