NovaDel Initiates Pilot Study in Humans of a Faster Acting Version of the Leading Migraine Remedy
May 12 2004 - 4:25AM
PR Newswire (US)
NovaDel Initiates Pilot Study in Humans of a Faster Acting Version
of the Leading Migraine Remedy Announcement Covers Second of Five
Products Scheduled for Testing in Humans This Year LONDON, May 12
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NovaDel Pharma Inc. announced that it has
commenced a pilot pharmacokinetic feasibility study in humans using
its lingual spray technology, to achieve a faster acting version of
sumatriptan. Sales of sumatriptan, a migraine remedy marketed as
Imitrex(R) in the US by GlaxoSmithKline, are currently $1 billion
+. The drug's new formulation utilizes NovaDel's patented lingual
spray drug delivery technology to achieve more rapid onset of
therapeutic activity. This is considered a desired benefit for
patients suffering from a variety of medically treatable
conditions, of which migraine headaches are a prime example. "The
study we have just commenced involves the administration of the
test drug in a range of doses to human subjects to document the
profile of blood levels achieved using our proprietary formulation
of sumatriptan (Imitrex), an already approved and very successful
product in its current pill form" said Gary A. Shangold, MD,
NovaDel's chief executive officer. If the study is successful in
achieving the expected results, NovaDel would file an
Investigational New Drug application to commence an abbreviated
clinical development program designed to support a 505(b)(2)
submission, a form of New Drug Application (NDA) that relies on
data in previously approved NDAs and published literature. The
505(b)(2) would be filed under the agency's PDUFA guidelines and
generally involves a 10-month review. Dr. Shangold made the
announcement of the study's start here this morning at the Rodman
& Renshaw TechVest Global Healthcare Conference at Claridge's
Hotel. A webcast of the presentation will be archived for 90 days.
Go to http://www.wallstreetwebcasting.com/webcast/rrshq2/nvdl.ob/.
Dr. Shangold also confirmed NovaDel's plans to file a 505(b)(2) NDA
for lingual spray nitroglycerin by the end of the current quarter.
This will be NovaDel's first product submitted for US FDA approval.
He said NovaDel is finalizing plans to start human pilot
pharmacokinetic feasibility studies of faster acting versions of
three more currently marketed products representing total current
market sales of approximately $4 billion: Zofran(R) (ondansetron),
marketed in the US by GlaxoSmithKline, Ambien(R) (zolpidem)
marketed in the US by Sanofi, and Xanax(R) (alprazolam) which is
sold by Pfizer and several generic producers. A fourth candidate is
propofol, a widely used sedative marketed in the US by AstraZeneca
as Diprivan(R) and by Baxter in the generic version. Reformulated
as a proprietary lingual spray, it would be indicated for patients
undergoing office-based or outpatient diagnostic or therapeutic
procedures. A pilot pharmacokinetic feasibility study in humans,
using NovaDel's lingual spray technology, has already commenced.
NovaDel's patented technology is seen as especially beneficial to
innovators seeking to reduce generic brand erosion of hard earned
franchises. NovaDel's lingual spray technology is designed to
provide rapid therapeutic blood levels by allowing drugs to enter
the blood stream directly through the mucosa lining the mouth. This
route of delivery avoids the GI tract and first-pass liver effects.
Patients self-administer the products just as they would a breath
freshener. Dr. Shangold, a former executive at Johnson &
Johnson, said "NovaDel's fast acting technology can create new
product benefits, while protecting an innovator's existing market.
NovaDel is in the business of product life cycle management for the
benefit of our customers - whether they be franchise protectors or
franchise builders," he said. "Our lingual spray technology offers
a distinctive set of product enhancements that will translate into
premium benefits for patients. NovaDel's cash position will enable
it to implement current programs well into 2005," he said.
Yesterday, May 11, the common shares of NovaDel began trading on
the American Stock Exchange under the symbol NVD. The company's
previous trading symbol was OTCBB: NVDL. NovaDel Pharma Inc. is a
specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the development of
novel drug delivery systems for prescription and over-the- counter
drugs. The Company's proprietary lingual spray technology delivery
system offers the patient (i) fast onset of action; (ii) improved
drug safety by reducing the required drug dosage and reducing side
effects; (iii) improved patient convenience and compliance; and
(iv) enhanced dosage reliability. The Company plans to develop such
products independently and through collaborative arrangements with
major pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Except for historical
information contained herein, this document contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the
Company's actual results or outcomes to be materially different
from those anticipated and discussed herein including, but not
limited to, the successful completion of its pilot pharmacokinetic
feasibility studies, the ability to develop products (independently
and through collaborative arrangements), the ability to
commercialize and obtain FDA and other regulatory approvals for
products under development and the acceptance in the marketplace
for lingual spray products.. Further, the Company operates in
industries where securities may be volatile and may be influenced
by regulatory and other factors beyond the Company's control.
Important factors that the Company believes might cause such
differences are discussed in the risk factors detailed in the
Company's most recent Annual Report and Registration Statements,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In assessing
forward-looking statements contained herein, if any, the reader is
urged to carefully read all cautionary statements contained in such
filings. Contact: Barry C. Cohen VP New Business & New Product
Development 908.782-3431 x 2160 NovaDel Pharma Inc. Thomas
Redington 203-222-7399 212 926-1733 DATASOURCE: NovaDel Pharma Inc.
CONTACT: Barry C. Cohen, VP New Business & New Product
Development, NovaDel Pharma Inc., +1-908-782-3431, ext. 2160; or
Thomas Redington, +1-203-222-7399, +1-212 926-1733, , for NovaDel
Pharma Inc.
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