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Biovitrum Launches New Drug in Nordic Countries Against Nausea From Chemotherapy


WEBWIRE

1/8/2007 - Swedish listed biopharmaceutical company Biovitrum launches a new drug in the Nordic countries against nausea caused by chemotherapy: Aloxi® (palonosetron), administered in the form of an injection prior to the initiation of chemotherapy. Biovitrum markets and distributes Aloxi® in the Nordic countries under license from Swiss company Helsinn Healthcare. The product has already been launched in the U.S., where over three million treatments have been carried out with good results, and is now also available on a number of markets in Europe and Latin America.

Antiemetic drugs, together with modern cytotoxic drugs, have improved treatment for cancer patients in recent decades. Yet 2 out of 10 patients are still afflicted by nausea and vomiting during the first day of chemotherapy, and up to half of them are afflicted during days 2-5. Severe nausea can be so troublesome that some patients choose to abandon further chemotherapy.

“We are thrilled to introduce Aloxi® on the Nordic market. Cancer patients perceive nausea as the hardest part of chemotherapy-despite their receiving drugs to counteract the side effects. With Aloxi® comes a new antiemetic drug offering a better and more long-lasting effect than standard drugs used today,” says Mats Pettersson, CEO of Biovitrum.

The effect of Aloxi® on nausea and vomiting is better than that of existing standard treatments. Furthermore, it lasts up to five days. The long-lasting effect can be attributed to Alox®i’s half-life of 40 hours, compared to 4-9 hours for current standard treatments. As a result, patients need not take additional tablets or injections at home after chemotherapy. Both the patient and the attending medical staff can focus on the cancer treatment, instead of the side effects of the chemotherapy.


About Biovitrum

Biovitrum is one of the largest biopharma companies in Europe. With operations in Sweden and in the UK Biovitrum conducts research and develops pharmaceuticals for unmet medical needs both for common diseases and conditions that affect smaller patient populations. Biovitrum has a broad and balanced R&D portfolio with several projects in clinical and preclinical phases for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, inflammation and eye and blood diseases as well as a number of well defined niche indications. Biovitrum develops and produces protein-based drugs on a contractual basis and markets a range of specialist pharmaceuticals primarily in the Nordic countries. Biovitrum has revenues of approximately SEK 1.2 billion and 550 employees. Biovitrum is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange since September 15, 2006. For more information see www.biovitrum.com



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