EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIMA LABS INC., a Cephalon company , announced today that its OraSolv(R) drug delivery technology is being used by BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. and Alliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Orapred ODT(TM) (prednisolone sodium phosphate orally disintegrating tablets). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted marketing approval for Orapred ODT, which is the first orally disintegrating tablet form of prednisolone available in the United States.
“We are very pleased to add another product and successful partnership to our growing portfolio,” said Todd MacLaughlan, General Manager of CIMA LABS. “Orapred ODT is a good example of the value our innovative taste masking and orally disintegrating technologies can provide physicians and patients.”
Orapred ODT will be prescribed primarily for acute exacerbations of asthma in children. Alliant expects to begin marketing Orapred ODT in the United States in the 3rd quarter of 2006.
With the addition of Orapred ODT, there are now 11 pharmaceutical products approved for sale in the United States and in other countries utilizing orally disintegrating drug delivery technologies developed by CIMA LABS. OraSolv tablets disintegrate on the tongue, without chewing or the need for water, enabling convenient dosing and ease of swallowing.
About CIMA LABS
CIMA LABS INC. is a leading drug delivery technology company that develops and manufactures prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products based on proprietary, orally disintegrating technologies. CIMA LABS’ eight prescription and three over-the-counter products are distributed globally by its pharmaceutical partners and are based on OraSolv and DuraSolv(R) orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) technologies. The tablets disintegrate quickly in the mouth without chewing or the need for water -- making it easier for patients to take medication. CIMA LABS also developed OraVescent(R), an oral transmucosal technology. The first product candidate using OraVescent technology currently is under review by the FDA.
CIMA LABS, located in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cephalon, Inc. Cephalon, headquartered in Frazer, Pennsylvania, is focused on the discovery, development and marketing of innovative medicines to treat sleep and neurological disorders, cancer and pain. Further information may be obtained at http://www.cimalabs.com.
About Cephalon, Inc.
Founded in 1987, Cephalon, Inc. is an international biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products in four core therapeutic areas: central nervous system, pain, oncology and addiction. Cephalon currently employs approximately 3,000 people in the United States and Europe. U.S. sites include the company’s headquarters in Frazer, Pennsylvania, and offices, laboratories or manufacturing facilities in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Salt Lake City, Utah, and suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cephalon’s European headquarters are located in Maisons-Alfort, France.
The company currently markets five proprietary products in the United States: PROVIGIL(R) (modafinil), GABITRIL(R) (tiagabine hydrochloride), ACTIQ(R) (oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate), TRISENOX(R) (arsenic trioxide) injection, VIVITROL and numerous products internationally. Full prescribing information on its U.S. products is available at http://www.cephalon.com or by calling 1-800-896-5855.
In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide Cephalon’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. These may include statements regarding anticipated scientific progress on its research programs, development of potential pharmaceutical products, including future products utilizing the OraSolv and DuraSolv technologies, interpretation of clinical results, prospects for regulatory approval of product candidates, manufacturing development and capabilities, market prospects for its products, sales and earnings guidance, and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. You may identify some of these forward-looking statements by the use of words in the statements such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” or other words and terms of similar meaning. Cephalon’s performance and financial results could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries as well as more specific risks and uncertainties facing Cephalon such as those set forth in its reports on Form 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward-looking statements. Furthermore, Cephalon does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits this discussion.
Cephalon, Inc.
CONTACT: Media: Lisa McCue of CIMA LABS, +1-952-983-8043,lisa.mccue@cimalabs.com; Investors: Chip Merritt of Cephalon, Inc.,+1-610-738-6376, cmerritt@cephalon.com
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