ZURICH (Reuters) - Pharmaceutical group Novartis said on Monday it had received U.S. approval for Exelon Patch, which delivers a treatment for Alzheimer's disease through a skin patch instead of an oral capsule. The medication was submitted for review in the European Union in late 2006, Novartis said.
The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approved the use of Exelon Patch in treating patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease dementia, Novartis said.
The Exelon Patch, which is applied to the back, chest or upper arm, maintains steady drug levels in the bloodstream, improving tolerability and allowing a higher proportion of patients to receive therapeutic doses of medication, with potential improvements in efficacy, Novartis said.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that alters the brain, causing impaired memory, thinking and behavior.
Approximately 18 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's disease, Novartis said. Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive neurological condition that affects approximately 1.5 million people in the United States. Two out of five people with Parkinson's disease are estimated to have Parkinson's disease dementia.
• Novartis gets FDA approval for Exelon patch New Ratings - Jul 09 2:55 PM LONDON, July 9 (newratings.com) – Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis AG ( NOT.FSE ) Monday announced that it had received US FDA approval for its Exelon patch for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
• FDA OKs Exelon Patch for Alzheimer's DIsease, Parkinson's DementiaWebMD - Jul 09 8:26 AM The FDA has approved the Exelon Patch, the first skin patch for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
• Exelon Patch is First Approved by FDA to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease Senior Journal - Jul 09 9:32 AM July 9, 2007 – Exelon Patch (rivastigmine) has received the first worldwide approval in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration of an innovative way to deliver an effective medicine for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease patients through a skin patch instead of an oral capsule, according to a news release by the drug company Novartis.
Excel patch has been in the development stage for around 5 years. For Novartis to stay out in front the next step up could be the superior technology of the OBJ patch.
Hang in there as a lot is going on behind the scenes. Due to commercial-in-confidence positive announcements can be few and far between for now.
OBJ is a long term buy and hold. Those who are patient will no doubt be well rewarded. Could be next week, could be 6 months, could be 12 months.
OBJ Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
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