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PRESCRIPTION DIVISION
PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE
APTAR PHARMA’S ORO-MUCOSAL SPRAY DEVICE CHOSEN FOR SPASTICITY IN
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS MANAGEMENT
Sativex ® Oromucosal Spray, which uses an Aptar Pharma spray pump, is the first
approved cannabis-based prescription medicine to be launched in Germany in the
field of spasticity in multiple sclerosis management.
Louveciennes, France – December 15 th , 2011 – World leader in
nasal and pulmonary drug delivery devices, Aptar Pharma worked
closely with GW Pharmaceuticals to develop the mouth spray
device which allows Sativex ® (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
and Cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid medicine, to be delivered to
multiple sclerosis (MS) patients suffering from muscle spasticity.
The administration of Sativex ® by oromucosal spray (sprayed into the mouth
either onto the inside of the cheek or under the tongue) provides patients with
a flexible dosing regime, particularly appropriate given the variable nature of
both spasticity and multiple sclerosis from patient to patient.
Sativex ® approved in Germany & Denmark and soon in more EU countries
Sativex ® has recently been approved in Germany & Denmark for the relief of spasticity associated with
MS. These new market launches follow successful completion in March 2011 of the European Mutual
Recognition Procedure (MRP) with all six member states involved recommending approval. Market
launches in additional EU countries such as Sweden and Italy are expected in the months to come.
Sativex ® has also been launched in the UK, Spain and Canada.
Sativex ® is marketed in Europe (excluding the UK) by Almirall S.A. The medicine is marketed in the UK
and Canada by Bayer Healthcare AG.
A new step forward in systemic drug delivery via the oro-mucosal route
Estimated at over 2 billion US dollars in 2009, the world market for nasally/buccally administered
systemic drugs has seen strong growth in the last few years. Systemic nasal sprays include such
products as Miacalcin ® (Calcitonin) for osteoporosis; Stimate ® and Minirin ® (Desmopressine) for
enuresis; Imitrex ® (Sumatriptan Succinate) and Zomig ® (Zolmitriptan) for migraine attacks; non-opioid
Sprix ® for post operative pain, and opioid-like Instanyl ® and PecFent ® /Lanzada ® (Fentanyl) for cancer
breakthrough pain. With Sativex ® GW Pharmaceuticals has developed a first-in-class treatment for the
relief of spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
Systemic drug delivery via the oro-mucusal route has a number of advantages due to fast onset of
action and reduced therapeutic dose as a result of high bioavailability for well formulated selected
compounds. After being sprayed into the buccal cavity and absorbed by the mucosa, the medication
enters the vascular system directly, allowing the active ingredients to take effect rapidly while minimizing
intolerable unwanted side effects.
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PRESCRIPTION DIVISION
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The VP7 spray pump – making drug delivery easier and safer while improving patient comfort
Aptar Pharma’s high-performance VP7 spray pump is widely used in drug delivery for both systemic
and local treatment via the nasal and the buccal routes. For Sativex ® , GW Pharmaceuticals selected
the VP7 spray pump fitted with a specific buccal actuator of ergonomic design that is comfortable to
use by the patient. The VP7 platform is recognized globally for its comfort of use by patients as well as
for its robustness coupled with outstanding dose accuracy and spray performance.
“GW Pharmaceuticals is a key client for Aptar Pharma, and we are proud that our collaboration
has now led to the launch of their important new medicine for patients suffering from multiple
sclerosis.” said Pierre Carlotti, Vice President Marketing and Communication for Aptar Pharma
Prescription Division.
Sativex ® is a registered trademark of GW Pharmaceuticals.
For more information about Sativex ® , visit http://www.gwpharm.com/Sativex.aspx
Sativex ® is indicated as treatment for symptom improvement in patients with moderate to severe
spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS) who have not responded adequately to other anti-spasticity
medication and who demonstrate clinically significant improvement in spasticity related symptoms
during an initial trial of therapy.
About Aptar Pharma
Aptar Pharma is part of the Aptargroup family of companies, along with Aptar Beauty + Home and Aptar Food + Beverage. We create
innovative drug delivery systems that meet the evolving needs of biotechnology, healthcare and pharmaceutical companies around the
world. We provide our customers with a wide range of delivery technologies and analytical services backed by years of proven expertise.
Aptargroup (NYSE: ATR) is headquartered in the US and has manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, Asia and South America.
For more information, visit http://www.aptar.com/pharma
Press Contacts
Elisa Eschylle, Events and Press relations manager
Tel.: +33 (0)1 39 17 20 41 - Email : elisa.eschylle@aptar.com
Marion Baschet Vernet , Press attaché
Tel.: +44 (0)797 609 41 00 - Email : mbvernet@gmail.com
Delivering solutions, shaping the future.
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