PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 28, 2014 — Iroko Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a global specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing the science of analgesia, today announced that its affiliate, Iroko Pharmaceuticals Inc., signed a licensing agreement with Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd, a company incorporated in Australia, for the exclusive rights to register and market ZORVOLEX® (diclofenac) capsules in Australia and New Zealand. Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd will be responsible for obtaining regulatory and pricing approval, as well as the marketing and distribution of the medication.
“The agreement with Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd marks Iroko’s sixth international licensing deal this year, as we continue to focus on bringing ZORVOLEX to markets outside the U.S. , which will now include Australia and New Zealand,” said John Vavricka, President and CEO of Iroko Pharmaceuticals. “Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd is a great addition to the reputable group of companies that we are partnering with on the international expansion of our inaugural brand.”
Iroko will continue to retain all marketing rights to ZORVOLEX in the U.S., where ZORVOLEX is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of mild to moderate acute pain and osteoarthritis pain1. ZORVOLEX is not currently approved for marketing in any other country.
Since late 2013, Iroko has entered into six strategic agreements with pharmaceutical companies worldwide, who are obtaining the exclusive rights to market ZORVOLEX within their regions. This includes agreements that cover countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Indonesia, and specified countries in Latin America, including Mexico and Brazil. Additionally, in July 2014, Iroko announced that partner Algorithm S.A.L. submitted a new drug application for ZORVOLEX with the Republic of Lebanon Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), marking the first filing acceptance outside of the U.S.
About ZORVOLEX
ZORVOLEX was developed to align with recommendations from FDA and several professional medical organizations that NSAIDs be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals. ZORVOLEX is the first FDA-approved low dose NSAID developed using proprietary SoluMatrix Fine Particle Technology™ and is now available by prescription. ZORVOLEX contains diclofenac as submicron particles that are approximately 20 times smaller than their original size. The reduction in particle size provides an increased surface area, leading to faster dissolution. In September 2014, ZORVOLEX was shortlisted in the Best New Drug category for the 10th Annual SCRIP Awards, an award which recognizes excellence in pharmaceutical development. For more information, visit www.ZORVOLEX.com.
ZORVOLEX is indicated for the management of mild to moderate acute pain and osteoarthritis pain.
Important Safety Information about ZORVOLEX
Cardiovascular Risk
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use. Patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease may be at greater risk.
ZORVOLEX is contraindicated for the treatment of perioperative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Gastrointestinal Risk
NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events.
ZORVOLEX is contraindicated in patients with: a known hypersensitivity to diclofenac or its inactive ingredients; a history of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.
ZORVOLEX should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.
Elevation of one or more liver tests may occur during therapy with ZORVOLEX. Physicians should measure transaminases (ALT and AST) periodically in patients receiving long-term therapy with ZORVOLEX. ZORVOLEX should be discontinued immediately if abnormal liver tests persist or worsen.
NSAIDs, including ZORVOLEX, can lead to the new onset or worsening of existing hypertension, which may contribute to the increased incidence of cardiovascular events. Blood pressure should be monitored closely during treatment with ZORVOLEX. NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive activity of thiazides, loop diuretics, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II antagonists.
Fluid retention and edema have been observed in some patients taking NSAIDs. ZORVOLEX should be used with caution in patients with fluid retention or heart failure.
Long-term administration of NSAIDs can result in renal papillary necrosis and other renal injury. ZORVOLEX should be used with caution in patients at greatest risk of this reaction, including the elderly, those with impaired renal function, heart failure, liver dysfunction, and those taking diuretics and ACE inhibitors. Treatment with ZORVOLEX in patients with advanced renal disease is not recommended.
Anaphylactoid reactions may occur in patients with the aspirin triad or in patients without prior exposure to ZORVOLEX and should be discontinued immediately if an anaphylactoid reaction occurs.
NSAIDs can cause serious skin adverse events such as exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens - Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can be fatal. ZORVOLEX should be discontinued if rash or other signs of local skin reaction occur.
Starting at 30 weeks’ gestation, ZORVOLEX and other NSAIDs should be avoided by pregnant women as premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus may occur.
Concomitant administration of diclofenac and aspirin or anticoagulants is not generally recommended because of the risk of increased GI bleeding that is higher than in users of either drug alone.
Most common adverse reactions in clinical trials (incidence =2%) include: edema, nausea, headache, dizziness, vomiting, constipation, pruritus, diarrhea, flatulence, pain in extremity, abdominal pain, sinusitis, alanine aminotransferase increased, blood creatinine increased, hypertension, and dyspepsia.
ZORVOLEX capsules do not result in an equivalent systemic exposure to diclofenac as other oral formulations. Therefore, do not substitute similar dosing strengths of other diclofenac products for ZORVOLEX. Please see full Prescribing Information for additional important safety and dosing information. For more information, visit www.ZORVOLEX.com.
About Aspen Pharma Pty Ltd
Aspen is a global supplier of branded and generic pharmaceutical products as well as infant milk nutritionals and consumer healthcare products in selected territories. Aspen is the largest pharmaceutical company listed on the South African stock exchange, the JSE Limited, and is one of the top 20 companies listed on this exchange. Aspen is ranked as Australia’s number one generic pharmaceutical company and has 26 manufacturing facilities at 18 sites on 6 continents and approximately 10,000 employees. With its extensive basket of products that provide treatment for a broad spectrum of acute and chronic conditions experienced throughout all stages of life, Aspen continues to increase the number of lives benefiting from its products, reaching more than 150 countries across the world.
About Iroko Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Iroko is a global specialty pharmaceutical company, based in Philadelphia, dedicated to advancing the science of analgesia. The company develops and globally commercializes pharmaceutical products. Iroko is at the forefront of the development of SoluMatrix® NSAIDs – new low dose drug products based on existing NSAIDs – using iCeutica Inc.’s proprietary SoluMatrix Fine Particle Technology™ exclusively licensed to Iroko for NSAIDs. ZORVOLEX is the first SoluMatrix® NSAID and is available in pharmacies; a second was approved by FDA in February 2014. For more information, visit www.iroko.com.
Contacts:
Jessica Donnelly for Iroko Pharmaceuticals, LLC, 212-798-9819
Kate de Santis, Iroko Pharmaceuticals, LLC, 267-546-1682
SoluMatrix Fine Particle Technology™ is a trademark of iCeutica Inc., and the technology is licensed to Iroko for exclusive use in NSAIDs.
SoluMatrix® is a trademark of iCeutica Pty Ltd and is licensed to Iroko.
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