Distribution agreement signed with R-PHARM US for episil®
Lund — 21 April 2016 — Camurus (NASDAQ STO: CAMX) today announces that they have granted R-PHARM US (Princeton, NJ) the exclusive license and distribution rights for episil® oral liquid in the US.
episil® oral liquid, is a unique and effective treatment for the pain of oral mucositis, a treatment-limiting side effect of cancer therapies, as well as other oral lesions. Financial terms under this agreement are not disclosed.
About oral mucositis
Oral mucositis (OM) is a common side effect of cancer therapies (chemo- and radiotherapy) and is characterized by painful inflammation and ulceration of the oral mucosa. OM affects nearly all head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy (RT), 30%-75% of patients undergoing chemotherapy and most patients undergoing conditioning regimens for hematopoietic stem cell transplant.
OM is caused by damage to the DNA in the basal epithelial cell lining of the mouth leading to decreased cell proliferation and cell death. Symptoms of OM vary from pain and discomfort to an inability to tolerate food or fluids, which can prevent patients from eating, swallowing and speaking. OM often necessitates hospitalization for re-hydration, opiate pain medication and total parenteral nutrition. Patients with damaged oral mucosa and reduced immunity resulting from chemo- and radiotherapy are also prone to infections in the mouth. Severe OM can even limit the dosing and frequency of treatment for cancer.
About episil® oral liquid
episil® oral liquid represents a unique and innovative concept for local treatment of pain associated with OM. Developed using the award-winning* Camurus proprietary technology FluidCrystal®, episil® is administered as a lipid-based liquid that spreads on the intra-oral mucosal surfaces and transforms to a strongly bioadhesive film that mechanically protects the sensitized and sore epithelium of the oral cavity. Clinically demonstrated, episil® has been shown to rapidly (within minutes) and effectively reduce oral pain for up to 8 hours. episil® oral liquid is supplied as a ready-to-use, pocket-sized device helping patients maintain their quality of life while undergoing cancer therapy. episil® was first launched in Europe and is today commercially available in a number of countries. episil® oral liquid is a CE-marked medical device class 1 in Europe and a 510k registered medical device in the US.
About Camurus
Camurus is a Swedish research-based pharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercialising innovative and differentiated medicines for the treatment of severe and chronic conditions. New drug products with best-in-class potential are conceived based on the proprietary FluidCrystal® drug delivery technologies and an extensive R&D expertise. Camurus’ clinical pipeline includes products for treatment of cancer, endocrine diseases, pain and addiction, developed in-house and in collaboration with international pharmaceutical companies. The company’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker “CAMX”. For more information, visit www.camurus.com.
About R-PHARM US
R-PHARM US was founded in 2014 with the goal of acquiring and commercializing products that help patients suffering from cancer and immunology conditions. R-PHARM US is a subsidiary of R-PHARM JSC, a vertically integrated, global pharmaceutical business with 2015 sales of ~$1.5B, primarily in Russia and Eastern Europe. R-PHARM’s portfolio includes IXEMPRA, a chemotherapy agent approved for metastatic breast cancer, and a pipeline that includes molecules being developed for immunology and oncology indications. The most advanced pipeline asset is olokizumab, a Phase 3-ready IL-6 being developed for rheumatoid arthritis and other immunologic conditions. More information can be found at www.rpharm-us.com and www.ixempra.com.
For more information
Fredrik Tiberg, President & CEO
Tel: +46 (0)46 286 46 92
Rein Piir, VP Investor Relations
Tel. +46 (0)70 853 72 92
ir@camurus.com
The information was submitted for publication at 08.00 a.m. on 21 April 2016.