Grupo Ferrer Internacional has launched Adasuve Staccato loxapine in Germany, triggering a $1.25 million milestone payment to Adasuve developer and manufacturer Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Alexza has announced. Adasuve was approved in the EU in February 2013 for use in hospital settings for the treatment of agitation in schizophrenic or bi-polar patients. Grupo Ferrer acquired European rights to the product in October 2011.
Alexza President and CEO Thomas B. King commented, “This launch represents the first commercial sale of Adasuve in the world, and marks the culmination of many years of dedicated effort and rigorous clinical development. I am incredibly proud of the efforts by the Alexza team and our partner Ferrer in bringing Adasuve to physicians in the EU for use in their treatment of agitated patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The initial launch of Adasuve in Germany, followed by Ferrer’s planned commercial roll out across the EU, is a key milestone for Alexza.”
Ferrer Chief Operating Officer Antoni Villaro added, “Alexza and Ferrer’s effective cooperation has enabled a product launch of Adasuve in an admirably short time following the EU approval in February 2013. Adasuve is an important strategic product for Ferrer and we are excited to be introducing Adasuve to the EU psychiatric and hospital treatment community.”
According to Alexza, Ferrer will launch Adasuve in additional EU countries throughout 2013 and continuing into 2014.
Read the Alexza press release.
