RNS11 Apr 2016 09:07
Midatech's Commercial Launch of Zuplenz® (Ondansetron) Oral Soluble Film to Prevent Post-Operative, Chemotherapy and Radiation-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in US
- Midatech further expands its commercial footprint in US, supporting the Zuplenz® launch
Midatech Pharma (AIM: MTPH; Nasdaq: MTP), the international specialty pharmaceutical company focused on commercialising and developing products in oncology and other therapeutic areas, today announces its forthcoming full commercial launch of Zuplenz® (ondansetron) Oral Soluble Film to prevent post-operative, chemotherapy and radiation-induced nausea and vomiting, in the United States.
In support of the Zuplenz product launch and Midatech's growing oncology supportive care portfolio, Midatech has invested in a significant expansion of its commercial organization, including additional field sales representation, field sales management, national accounts personnel, and marketing and internal support staff. Midatech's newly expanded commercial team will attend the Zuplenz launch meeting Tuesday to Friday of this week in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Jim Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Midatech Pharma, said: "Zuplenz is a valuable treatment option that offers convenient relief from one of the most debilitating side-effects of common cancer treatments. The product launch of Zuplenz represents yet another step forward for Midatech and further leverages our commercial infrastructure in the US. Zuplenz is a perfect example of our rapidly growing portfolio of marketed oncology products and will further contribute to our growing revenue stream."
Zuplenz, acquired into Midatech's portfolio of marketed oncology products in December 2015, is a 5HT3 receptor antagonist. The novel oral soluble film technology used by Zuplenz offers an innovative approach to ondansetron delivery that, in comparison to other delivery methods, provides several key cancer patient benefits including a non-gritty delivery mechanism, non-patch delivery, discreet on-the-go usage, removal of the burden of swallowing pills during emesis, and no sedative side effects.
Jerilyn Arnold, Senior RN, Oncology Nurse Specialist at Texas Oncology, said: "In practice, patients often find non-tablet therapies for CINV and RINV sub-optimal due to gritty residue, potential need for the patient to wear a patch and possible exacerbation of their nausea and vomiting due to various other product characteristics. Together, these limitations contribute to reduced compliance and efficacy often leading to various morbidities associated with CINV and RINV. Zuplenz provides an excellent localised therapy solution for the treatment of both CINV and RINV because the novel formulation avoids the pitfalls that come with other ondansetron products."
According to data from Symphony Health Solutions, there were approximately twenty million prescriptions written in 2015 in the US for onda