Merck launches Saflutan in first European markets
pharmafile | September 4, 2009 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Merck, ophthalmology
Merck's glaucoma drug Saflutan has been launched in the UK and Spain.
The manufacturer says more launches are planned in other countries over the next few months.
Glaucoma covers a group of diseases that can damage the optic nerve when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, and without early treatment it can lead to serious vision loss.
Merck has been preparing for the launch since April this year, when it announced a worldwide licensing agreement for Saflutan (tafluprost) with Santen Pharmaceutical Co.
For an undisclosed fee, milestone payments and royalties based on future sales, Merck received exclusive commercial rights in Western Europe (outside Germany), North America, South America and Africa.
"Merck is pleased that we are now able to begin supplying Safultan in approved markets to continue Merck's long standing commitment to ophthalmology and the patients who suffer from ophthalmic diseases worldwide," said Merck's senior vice president of neuroscience and ophthalmics, Vlad Hogenhuis.
The pharma company will also provide 'support' for Santen's promotion of the brand in Germany and Poland.
Santen retains rights to Saflutan in most of Eastern Europe as well as Japan and other Asia Pacific countries.
Saflutan is currently in phase III trials in the US and, if approved, Santen will have the option to co-promote it there.
Saflutan is a preservative free, synthetic analogue of the prostaglandin F2-alpha and is indicated for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma – the most common form of the condition – and ocular hypertension.
Other brands in the therapy area include Pfizer's Xalatan, which is close to patent expiry.
While increased eye pressure creates the risk of glaucoma, the disease only occurs if the optic nerve is damaged.
The optic nerve is a bundle of more than one million nerve fibres, which connects the retina – the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye – to the brain.
Sufferers find the limits of their vision shrinking, with peripheral vision the first to be lost.
High risk groups include those with a family history of the disease, people of African descent over the age of 40, and anyone over 60.
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