LIESTAL, SWITZERLAND--(Marketwire - October 10, 2008) - Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SWX: SANN), a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on neuromuscular diseases, announced today the launch of CATENA® (idebenone) in Canada. The drug is indicated for the treatment of Friedreich's Ataxia, a rare neuromuscular disease that results in the degeneration of nerve and muscle tissue. Catena is the first and only approved therapy in Canada to treat this devastating genetic disorder. Santhera estimates that there are a few hundred Friedreich's Ataxia patients in Canada, where the prevalence ranks among the highest concentrations in North America. The Company is working with physicians, patient advocacy groups, government agencies and insurance companies in order to quickly provide Catena to the patients. First prescriptions are being processed.
