Alterna to expand distribution with new trademark, license deal

WHIPPANY, N.J. — Alterna, a marketer of personal care products and therapeutic over-the-counter medicines, has signed a new trademark and know-how license agreement with Spirig Pharma AG of Egerkingen, Switzerland, which expands Alterna's exclusive rights to distribute Kerasal one-step exfoliating moisturizing foot ointment to 80 countries outside of North America.

Alterna already owns the Kerasal brand in North America, having fully acquired all rights to trademarks and product technology in 2006.

Spirig Pharma AG is internationally known for such brands as Daylong actinica — a medical device for topical application for the prevention of certain forms of nonmelanoma skin cancer in at-risk patients — Daylong liposomal sunscreen lotions and Excipial, a range of skin care and moisturizer products.

Kerasal foot ointment is designed to soften severely rough, dry, cracked heels and feet by exfoliating and moisturizing skin in one step. Kerasal, which is approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association, is available in the United States in the foot care aisle in major drug store chains and at Walmart. According to SymphonyIRI, retail sales of Kerasal in food, drug and mass stores (excluding Walmart), were up 24.5% for the 52-week period ended March 20, the manufacturer said.

Alterna is making an aggressive push to expand distribution of its products in overseas markets. Since October 2010, Alterna has signed distribution agreements with partners in Greece, Mexico, Honduras, Turkey, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The company's distributors in Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Middle East have had record sales years, with most business coming from Alterna's JointFlex line of topical osteoarthritis pain products, the company stated.