Valera Pharmaceuticals

Valera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on creating and commercializing products for the urology and endocrinology sectors. Formerly known as Hydro Med Sciences, the company leveraged its proprietary Hydron Technology, a hydrogel-based polymer implant system designed for the controlled release of therapeutic agents.

The company's lead product was Vantas, a 12-month implant for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Vantas delivered histrelin, a potent LHRH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) agonist, to slow tumor growth. Another key product in its pipeline was Supprelin-LA, an implant also based on histrelin, for treating central precocious puberty (CPP), a condition where children enter puberty prematurely. Valera also had other products in development, including Valstar for bladder cancer, a biodegradable ureteral stent, and an octreotide implant for acromegaly.

Valera went public in February 2006. In December 2006, Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire Valera Pharmaceuticals in a stock transaction valued at approximately $120 million, plus potential milestone payments. The acquisition was part of Indevus's strategy to become a leader in the urology and men's health specialty areas, leveraging its national sales force for Valera's products. At the time of the acquisition, David S. Tierney, M.D., was the president and CEO of Valera. The acquisition was completed in 2007. Subsequently, Indevus itself was acquired by Endo Pharmaceuticals in 2009, bringing Valera's products and technology under Endo's portfolio.

Keywords: urology, endocrinology, pharmaceutical, Hydron technology, drug delivery implant, histrelin, Vantas, Supprelin LA, prostate cancer, central precocious puberty, LHRH agonist, hydrogel implant, Valstar, controlled release, acromegaly, men's health, specialty pharma, Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Endo Pharmaceuticals, David S. Tierney