MILAN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. (“Newron”) (SIX: NWRN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, is pleased to note that its partner Zambon S.p.A, together with Valeo Pharma Inc., have announced the approval of Onstryv® (safinamide) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in Canada.
The full text of the announcement from Zambon S.p.A and Valeo Pharma Inc. is as follows:
Valeo Pharma and Zambon announce the approval of Onstryv® (safinamide) for Canada
- Valeo Pharma and Zambon previously announced a partnership which grants Valeo Pharma exclusive Canadian rights to commercialize safinamide (known as Onstryv® in Canada and Xadago® in the rest of the world.)
- New treatment option for estimated 100,000 Canadians living with Parkinson's Disease.
- Safinamide has been launched in 13 European countries, Switzerland and the U.S.A, and has recently been approved in Australia.
January 15, 2019 – Zambon S.p.A., an international pharmaceutical company strongly committed to the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutic area, and Valeo Pharma Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to commercializing innovative prescription products in Canada, today announce the approval of Onstryv® (safinamide) for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease in Canada.
Under the terms of the agreement with Zambon, Valeo Pharma is responsible for all regulatory, quality, sales and marketing, and distribution activities in Canada.
“There is a growing need for new treatments to manage Parkinson’s Disease and Onstryv® provides an important option for patients that require better control of their symptoms. We look forward to launching the first new oral treatment for Parkinson’s Disease in over a decade to Canadian patients in need of a new therapeutic choice,” said Steve Saviuk, Chief Executive Officer of Valeo.
Valeo Pharma expects the Canadian launch of safinamide to occur during the first half of 2019.
Roberto Tascione, CEO of Zambon said, “The approval of safinamide in Canada is a step forward for patients who need new treatment options for Parkinson’s Disease. Our mission is to make this medication available to as many PD patients worldwide as possible.”
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological disease involving the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. While tremors are the best-known symptom, Parkinson’s Disease also causes slowed movement, rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, and speech and writing difficulties. An estimated 100,000 Canadians are affected, and the number of patients is expected to grow significantly over the next thirty years as the population continues to age.
About safinamide
Safinamide (known as Onstryv® in Canada and Xadago®
in the rest of the world) is a new chemical entity with a mode of
action including selective and reversible MAO-B-inhibition. Clinical
trials have established its efficacy in controlling motor symptoms and
motor complications in the short term, and data suggest this effect is
maintained over 2 years. Results from 24-month, double-blind controlled
studies suggest that safinamide shows effects on motor fluctuations
(ON/OFF time) without increasing the risk of developing troublesome
dyskinesia. Safinamide is a once-daily dose and has no diet restrictions
due to its high MAO-B/MAO-A selectivity. Zambon acquired rights from
Newron Pharmaceuticals (www.newron.com)
to develop and commercialize Xadago® globally, excluding Japan and other
key Asian territories where Meiji Seika has the rights to develop and
commercialize safinamide. The rights to develop and commercialize
Xadago® in the USA have been granted to US WorldMeds, by Zambon.
References:
Two-year,
randomized, controlled study of safinamide as add-on to levodopa in mid
to late Parkinson's Disease. Borgohain, Rupam; Szasz, Jozsef;
Stanzione, Paolo; Meshram, Chandrashekhar; Bhatt, Mohit H et al. (2014)
Movement
disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society vol. 29
(10) p. 1273-80.
Anand R: Safinamide is associated with clinically
important improvement in motor symptoms in fluctuating PD patients as
add-on to levodopa (SETTLE). 17th International Congress of Parkinson’s
Disease and Movement Disorders, Sydney, Australia, June 16-20, 2013.
About Valeo Pharma
Valeo Pharma is a specialty
pharmaceutical company dedicated to the commercialization of innovative
prescription products in Canada. With a focus on neurodegenerative
diseases, woman’s health, and oncology and supportive care, Valeo Pharma
has a growing portfolio of innovative products and a platform to
properly manage these products through all stages of commercialization.
Headquartered in Kirkland, Quebec, Valeo Pharma has all capabilities
internally to register and market health care solutions for Canadian
patients. For more information, please visit www.valeopharma.com
About Zambon
Zambon is a multinational pharmaceutical and
fine-chemical company that focuses on innovation and development with
the aim to improve the quality of people’s health and patients’ lives.
Based on a valuable heritage but strongly focused on the future, its
goal is to improve people’s health through the development of innovative
and quality medicines. Zambon products are commercialized in 86
countries. The company has 20 subsidiaries in three different Continents
– Europe, America and Asia – and owns manufacturing units in Italy,
Switzerland, France, China and Brazil. The company today has a strong
focus on the treatment of rare diseases and specialties, such as
Parkinson’s disease and Cystic Fibrosis, and it’s well-established in 3
therapeutic areas: respiratory, pain and women’s care. Zambon was
established in 1906 in Italy and today counts around 2,700 employees all
over the world. For details on Zambon please visit www.zambon.com
For more information, please contact:
Zambon
Valentina Saffioti - Global Head of Pharma
Communication
+39 0266524508 - valentina.saffioti@zambongroup.com
Valeo Pharma
Steve Saviuk - President and CEO
+1 514
693-8830 - saviuk@valeopharma.com
About Newron Pharmaceuticals
Newron (SIX: NWRN) is a
biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies
for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system.
The Company is headquartered in Bresso near Milan, Italy.
Xadago®/safinamide has received marketing authorization for the
treatment of Parkinson’s disease in the European Union, Switzerland and
the USA, and is commercialized by Newron’s Partner Zambon. US WorldMeds
holds the commercialization rights in the USA. Meiji Seika has the
rights to develop and commercialize the compound in Japan and other key
Asian territories. In addition to Xadago®/safinamide for Parkinson’s
disease, Newron has a strong pipeline of promising treatments for rare
disease patients at various stages of clinical development, including
Sarizotan for patients with Rett syndrome and ralfinamide for patients
with specific rare pain indications. Newron is also developing Evenamide
as the potential first add-on therapy for the treatment of patients with
positive symptoms of schizophrenia. For more information, please visit: www.newron.com
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