King Pharmaceuticals Reports FDA Approval of Revised Labeling Regarding Purity of THROMBIN-JMI

BRISTOL, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 14, 2008 - King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:KG) today reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved revised labeling for THROMBIN-JMI(R) (thrombin, topical, bovine, USP) as a result of continuous enhancements the Company has made with respect to its manufacturing processes for the product. The revised labeling recognizes the capability of King's enhanced processes to reduce Factor V light chain content to undetectable levels using currently available methodologies. Supporting data is being published as a paper in an upcoming issue of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis. High purity THROMBIN-JMI(R) with this labeling will be available beginning in March 2008.

"This new labeling for THROMBIN-JMI(R) reflects King's commitment to continually enhance the processes utilized in the manufacture of this product for the benefit of surgeons, healthcare professionals and patients," said Craig A. Paterson, MD, MBA, Senior Director, Medical Development, King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The new labeling states:
"THROMBIN-JMI(R) has been chromatographically purified and further processed by ultrafiltration. Analytical studies demonstrate the current manufacturing process' capability to remove significant amounts of extraneous proteins, and result in a reduction of Factor Va light chain content levels below the limit of detection of semi-quantitative Western Blot assay (less than 92 ng/mL, when reconstituted as directed). The clinical significance of these findings is unknown."

Some studies have proposed that if bovine Factor V is present in bovine thrombin, it may elicit the formation of antibodies that could cross-react with human Factor V and possibly lead to clinically significant bleeding (coagulopathy). Specific studies evaluating a causative relationship between bovine Factor V levels, human antibody formation to bovine proteins including thrombin and Factor V, and serious coagulopathies have never been performed. However, well-controlled clinical trials with THROMBIN-JMI(R) have not demonstrated an increase in coagulopathy. Therefore, the clinical significance of antibodies to bovine proteins remains unknown.

THROMBIN-JMI(R) is an active topical hemostat that achieves fast, active control of surgical bleeding (hemostasis). It is indicated as an aid to hemostasis whenever oozing blood and minor bleeding from capillaries and small veins is accessible, or in conjunction with an absorbable gelatin sponge, USP. Since its approval more than 12 years ago, THROMBIN-JMI(R) has been used in an estimated 12 million patient procedures.

THROMBIN-JMI(R), available in a broad range of delivery options, helps surgeons and healthcare professionals achieve hemostasis in a variety of procedures and bleeding sites. In addition to THROMBIN-JMI(R) syringe spray kits, these include: THROMBI-Gel(R) (thrombin/gelatin foam hemostat), which provides a convenient topical hemostat option for operating room surgeons; THROMBI-Pad(TM) (3x3 hemostatic pad), the only composite of THROMBIN-JMI(R) and gauze pad, offering healthcare professionals in the emergency department a convenient option to achieve active hemostasis at bleeding sites where they would typically use trauma dressing; and the THROMBIN-JMI(R) Epistaxis Kit, an intranasal spray delivery device to aid in stopping epistaxes (nosebleeds).