TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 23, 2010) - British Columbia’s Ministry of Health Services announced today that they are accepting the Drug Benefit Council’s recommendation and listing Xeomin® on the Pharmacare program formulary as Limited Coverage for the following indications.
-- Blepharospasm -- Cervical Dystonia of a predominantly rotational form (spasmodic torticollis) -- Post-stroke spasticity of the upper limb. Trade name: Xeomin® Proper name: Clostridium Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A (150 kD), free from complexing proteins Manufacturer: Merz Pharma GmbH Dosage form: Powder for intramuscular injection Strength: 100 units
Description of the Drug
Botulinum neurotoxin type A blocks transmission at the neuromuscular junction, having therefore a paralyzing activity. Xeomin® is a purified version of the neurotoxin. It is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of blepharospasm, cervical dystonia and spasticity of the upper limbs in adult patients.
About Xeomin® (NT 201)
Xeomin® is a neurotoxin therapy, free from complexing proteins, that combines high specific biologic activity with low bacterial protein load. It has been approved for marketing in Europe since 2005 to treat various movement disorders, and more recently was approved in Canada for symptomatic management of blepharospasm, cervical dystonia and post-stroke spasticity of the upper limb. It was also granted an extension of indication for the treatment of post-stroke spasticity of the upper limb presenting with flexed wrist and clenched fist in adults in various European countries, as well as for spasticity in Mexico and for focal spasticity in Argentina.
About Merz
Merz Pharma Canada Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Merz Pharma Group of Companies was established in 2009 to commercialize Xeomin and expand other Merz franchises in the Canadian marketplace.
Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH (www.merz.com):
Merz Pharmaceuticals, a member of the Merz Pharma Group of companies, is an innovative and international healthcare company specializing in the research, development and marketing of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases. Merz is a leader in the field of neurology. In addition to developing Xeomin®, the company has developed memantine (Axura®) -- the first drug with a unique mechanism of action that focuses on the glutamatergic system for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. The company also focuses on the development of innovative therapies within the therapeutic areas of hepatology, metabolic disease and dermatology.
Contacts:
Merz Pharma Canada Ltd.
Glenn Block
President and General Manager
905-315-1193