Endo International (NASDAQ:ENDP) is a specialty healthcare company engaged in developing, manufacturing, marketing and distributing branded pharmaceutical and generic products and medical devices. Amid widespread pressure in the pharmaceutical market, news at Endo was mixed during the quarter. The company recorded a significant impairment charge in November relating to its recent acquisition of Auxilium. While management had hinted at some early challenges with Auxilium’s topical testosterone products and STENDRA (a competitor to Viagra in the ED market), CEO Rajiv De Silva formally announced Endo would be de-emphasizing and/or selling these products. This decision increases Endo’s dependence upon its primary growth drivers (recently acquired Par Pharmaceutical, Xiaflex and new pain product BELBUCA), which we believe will drive attractive organic sales growth during the next several years. News of a renewed 8-year commercial agreement with Novartis for Voltaren Gel was a distinct positive. We added to our position below $60 per share during the quarter.
From Wallace Weitz (Trades, Portfolio)'s fourth quarter 2015 Value Fund commentary.
