Astellas Pharma Europe Limited
Astellas Receives Positive Opinion From CHMP for Mycamine(R) for the Treatment of Serious Fungal Infections
Staines, England (ots/PRNewswire)
- New Treatment Option Contributes to Fight Against Healthcare Associated Infections
Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd(i) announced today that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) issued a positive opinion by consensus, recommending a marketing authorisation for Mycamine(R), a treatment for systemic fungal infections, which are very serious, life-threatening conditions.
The CHMP's positive recommendation is a critical step in the approval process, and Astellas expects to obtain the European Commission decision in May.
"This positive opinion from the CHMP for Mycamine(R) is great news for both doctors and adult and paediatric patients including neonates in Europe," said, Alan Houston MBBS, MRCP, FFPM, Senior Vice President, Research & Development, Astellas Pharma Europe. "It means that they will have access to a new, highly effective treatment for systemic fungal infections in adult and paediatric patients including neonates. This is particularly important as systemic fungal infections have a mortality rate of up to 60%(1)," he added.
Mycamine(R) is a novel treatment for a serious fungal infection known as invasive candidiasis, and its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated in an extensive and robust clinical development programme including more than 3,500 patients in 16 clinical trials. These trials not only cover large Mycamine(R) patient numbers but a broad range of patients including nearly 300 children. Mycamine(R) is the market leader in Japan where it was launched in 2002 (Brand Name in Japan: Funguard(R)), and in the US, where Mycamine(R) was launched in 2005, the product has already achieved a 20% market share. In these two major markets more than 350,000 patients have been treated with the product.
Invasive candidiasis, with reported mortality rates ranging from 40% to 75% of patients, is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in high risk patients.(1) Medical advances in the management of a wide range of conditions have been accompanied by an increase in the number of patients at risk of invasive candidiasis. These include solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, improved management of patients with burns, cancers and of low weight infants, and increased numbers of patients with HIV infection or AIDS. Astellas seeks to satisfy unmet treatment needs beyond those afforded by existing therapies by providing treatment alternatives for invasive candidiasis.
Recognising the increasing need for new products to fight the growing epidemic caused by healthcare associated infections, Astellas is committed to building a strong anti-infectives franchise. This is reflected by its extensive clinical trial programme which has been very positively received by key opinion leaders in the area. Telavancin, another Astellas product currently under review in the EU regulatory process, is a novel, bactericidal, once-daily injectable antibiotic for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, including resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The product review for telavancin continues under the EMEA's Centralised Procedure following its initial submission in April 2007.
(i)Astellas Pharma Europe Limited, located in the UK, is a European subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. The organisation is committed to becoming a global company by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities and continuing to grow in the world pharmaceutical market. Astellas Pharma Europe is responsible for 20 affiliate offices located across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, two R&D sites and three manufacturing plants with approximately 3,300 staff.
Astellas Pharma Europe Limited, Lovett House, Lovett Road, Staines, Middlesex TW18 3AZ
(1) Gudlaugsson O, et al. Attributable Mortality of Nosocomial Candidemia, Revisited. Clin Infect Dis 2003; 37: 1172-7
Contacts for enquiry or additional information:
Astellas Pharma Europe
Jeannine Nolan
Communications consultant
Mobile: +44(0)7785508478
Email: jeannine.nolan@eu.astellas.com
Red Door Communications
Philip R. Sheldon, Director
Direct line: +44(0)20-8392-8093
Mobile: +44(0)792-191-8436
Email: psheldon@rdcomms.com
Jas Kaur, Account Executive
Tel: +44(0)20-8392-8040
Email: jkaur@rdcomms.com
Mobile : +44(0)7904-292-908Contact:
Contacts for enquiry or additional information: Astellas Pharma
Europe, Jeannine Nolan, Communications consultant, Mobile :
+44(0)7785508478, Email : jeannine.nolan@eu.astellas.com; Red Door
Communications, Philip R. Sheldon, Director, Direct line:
+44(0)20-8392-8093, Mobile: +44(0)792-191-8436, Email:
psheldon@rdcomms.com; Jas Kaur, Account Executive, Tel:
+44(0)20-8392-8040, Email: jkaur@rdcomms.com, Mobile :
+44(0)7904-292-908