Healthcare Industry News: DuoResp Spiromax
News Release - April 29, 2014
Teva Receives European Marketing Authorization for DuoResp Spiromax(R) for the Treatment of Asthma and COPD
JERUSALEM--(Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network)--Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., (TEVA) announced today that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for DuoResp Spiromax® for the treatment of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) where the use of a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonist is appropriate.DuoResp Spiromax® is a new, multi-dose dry-powder inhaler containing a Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) of budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid to treat the underlying inflammation in asthma and COPD, and formoterol fumarate dihydrate, a rapid-acting and long-lasting beta2 agonist for the relief of bronchoconstriction in asthma and COPD.
“We are delighted to receive approval for DuoResp Spiromax®,” said Rob Koremans, M.D., President and CEO, Teva Global Specialty Medicines. “This is a major advance in inhalers – the need for more intuitive devices is critical and has been highlighted by healthcare professionals and patient groups. It is widely accepted that poor or inadequate inhaler technique not only negatively impacts treatment adherence, but means that patients do not obtain the full benefit from their medication.”
Koremans added, “We are extremely proud of Spiromax. Our innovative approach to the development of the product means that it offers the key features required for an ideal inhaler. DuoResp Spiromax® provides a valuable addition to currently available inhalation devices for the treatment of asthma and COPD. It is the first and important milestone in the rollout of our Respiratory portfolio in Europe.”
DuoResp Spiromax® has been demonstrated to be therapeutically equivalent to the well-established budesonide/formoterol combination.The Spiromax inhaler uses a unique technology to deliver a consistent, effective and accurate dose.
Inhaled therapy with fixed dose combinations of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists is an important step in achieving good asthma and COPD control. However a substantial percentage of users of inhalers worldwide have inadequate inhaler technique and increased inhalation errors.
The Spiromax inhaler has been designed by looking at patient inhalation challenges not in terms of human error, but as a design problem to be solved. The result is an inhaler designed to improve ease of use and consistent delivery from the first to the last dosewith three simple steps: open, breathe and close. Furthermore, it confirms to patients that a dose has been taken through a taste of lactose and a clear dose indicator.
Two Phase III trials in patients with persistent asthma are ongoing in Europe to compare the benefits of DuoResp Spiromax and a budesonide/formoterol multi-dose dry powder inhaler. Both studies are expected to report out in 2014.
About Asthma and COPD
30 million people in Europe are living with asthma, with an estimated 82,000 hospital admissions each year costing some €33.9 billion.COPD affects 23 million people in Europe, resulting in 1.1 million hospital admissions annually and estimated indirect and direct costs of €48.4 billion.
About Teva
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is a leading global pharmaceutical company, committed to increasing access to high-quality healthcare by developing, producing and marketing affordable generic drugs as well as innovative and specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Headquartered in Israel, Teva is the world's leading generic drug maker, with a global product portfolio of more than 1,000 molecules and a direct presence in approximately 60 countries. Teva's branded businesses focus on CNS, oncology, pain, respiratory and women's health therapeutic areas as well as biologics. Teva currently employs approximately 45,000 people around the world and reached $20.3 billion in net revenues in 2013.
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Source: Teva Pharmaceutical
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