Pacira Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ:PCRX) said late last month that it plans to stop producing its liposomal chemotherapeutic due to “persistent technical issues specific to the DepoCyt(e) manufacturing process.”
In a regulatory note filed to the SEC, the N.J.-based company said it expects a charge of $5 million thanks to the discontinuation, including $500,000 related to employee lay-offs.
DepoCyt brought in 2.5% of the company’s total sales last year, according to Pacira.
The product, which is marketed as DepoCyte in Europe, uses Pacira’s liposomal technology to steadily release a lymphomatous meningitis treatment over the course of 30 days.
Pacira told in-Pharmatechnologist that the manufacturing problems are specific to DepoCyt and do not extend to its Exparel bupivacaine liposome injection.
