Barr's Seasonale OK'd in Canada

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., July 5 (UPI) -- U.S. drug maker Barr said Thursday its subsidiary Duramed has received approval in Canada to market extend-cycle oral contraceptive Seasonale.

In 2005 Duramed granted Paladin Labs an exclusive license to market Seasonale in Canada in exchange for royalties and milestone payments.

Paladin plans to launch the contraceptive there in the fourth quarter.

The deal calls for Duramed to manufacture the product.

Duramed launched Seasonale in the United States in October 2003.

"We are pleased to work with our partner, Paladin, to provide Canadian women an additional, unique option in oral contraceptive," said Barr CEO Bruce Downey. "We are confident that Paladin will be able to effectively communicate the benefits of the Seasonale extended-cycle oral contraceptive regimen to this exciting, new market."

Seasonale is the first extended-cycle oral contraceptive available in Canada.