Healthcare Industry News: S.A.
News Release - February 19, 2009
European Medicines Agency Recommends Suspension of Marketing Authorization for Raptiva(R)
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 19 -- (Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network) -- Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, DarmS.A.t, Germany, announced today that the European MedicineS.A.ency (EMEA) has recommended to the European Commission the suspension of the marketing authorization for Raptiva® (efalizumab). Raptiva® is currently approved for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who have failed to respond to, or who have a contraindication to, or are intolerant to certain other systemic therapies.The safety of patients is of utmost importance to Merck Serono. The company will work closely with the European health authorities to undertake all neceS.A.y measures to comply with the EMEA recommendations.(1) Outside the European Union, in countries where Raptiva® is marketed by Merck Serono, the company will contact the health authorities to inform them of the EMEA recommendation and determine appropriate actions.
Merck Serono's sales of Raptiva® amounted to EUR 93 million in 2008 with a negative impact on Merck's profit. Already for the fiS.A. year 2008, Merck completely wrote off rights for the drug.
Over the past five months, Merck Serono was notified of three virologically confirmed cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in psoriasis patients treated with Raptiva®. The first two cases were reported by Genentech, which markets Raptiva® in the United S.A.es. Those cases occurred in patientS.A.ed 70 or older, who received Raptiva® for approximately four years. A third virologically confirmed PML case was recently reported in a patient aged 47 from Germany, who had been treated with Raptiva® for more than three years. A fourth case suggestive of PML was previously reported, but not virologically confirmed. After reviewing a comprehensive benefit-risk re-assessment submitted by Merck Serono, the EMEA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has now concluded that the benefits of Raptiva® no longer outweigh its risks.
In the European Union, physicians should not issue any new prescriptions for Raptiva® and should review the treatment of patients currently receiving the medicine to assess the most appropriate alternatives. They should make sure that patients who have been treated with Raptiva® are closely monitored for neurological symptomS.A.d symptoms of infection. Patients who are currently taking Raptiva® should not stop treatment abruptly, but should make an appointment with their doctor to discusS.A.propriate treatment options.
Raptiva® waS.A.proved in the European Union in 2004 for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who have failed to respond to, or who have a contra-indication to, or are intolerant to other systemic therapies including cyclosporine, methotrexate and PUVA. Since itS.A.proval in the United S.A.es in 2003, approximately 46,000 patients have been treated with Raptiva® worldwide, based on data from clinical trialS.A.d post-marketing experience.
1) The EMEA press release can be found at http://www.emea.europa.eu/pressoffice/presshome.htm
About Raptiva®
Raptiva® (efalizumab) iS.A.humanized therapeutic antibody designed to selectively and reversibly block the activation, reactivation and trafficking of T-cells that are critically involved in the psoriatic skin inflammation. Raptiva® is designed to be administered once weekly via subcutaneous injection and can be self-administered by patientS.A. home. Raptiva® received EU approval for the "Treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis who have failed to respond to, or who have a contraindication to, or are intolerant to other systemic therapies including ciclosporine, methotrexate and PUVA". Common adverse events observed with Raptiva® include headache, infections (e.g., common cold), chills, pain, nauS.A. asthenia (weakness), and fever, which uS.A.ly diminish after the initial doses. For complete information on the safety profile of Raptiva®, the patient information leaflet should be consulted.
Raptiva® iS.A.medicinal product subject to medical prescription. The Marketing Authorization Holder of Raptiva® in the European Union is Serono Europe Ltd, an affiliate of Merck Serono S.A. The full Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for Raptiva® iS.A.ailable on http://www.emea.europa.eu/humandocs/Humans/EPAR/raptiva/raptiva.htm.
In October 2008, Merck Serono issued a press release on the first virologically confirmed case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). In November 2008, the European Commission approved an update of the product information with warnings on PML, and Merck Serono subsequently informed health care professionals.
Merck Serono has the rights to develop and market Raptiva® worldwide outside of the United S.A.eS.A.d Japan. To date, Raptiva® iS.A.ailable in 66 countries, amongst them many countries in Europe, Latin America, AS.A.as well aS.A.stralia and Canada. Merck Serono's sales of Raptiva® amounted to EUR 93 million in 2008. Raptiva® is licensed from Genentech, Inc., and Genentech retains development and marketing rights in the United S.A.es, where Raptiva® has been available since November 2003.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis iS.A.T-cell mediated diS.A.e, which is characterized by abnormal cell growth of keratinocyteS.A.d chronic inflammation clinically visible as thick, red, S.A.y, inflamed patcheS.A.d plaques. Plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the diS.A.e, is characterized by S.A.p-edged inflamed patches of skin ("lesions") topped with silvery white S.A.es. Psoriasis can be limited to a few spots, typically kneeS.A.d elbows, but can also involve extensive areas of the body. Although it is highly visible, psoriasis is not a contagious diS.A.e. While there are a number of medications that may help control the symptoms of psoriasis, there currently is no known permanent cure.
About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the division for innovative prescription pharmaceuticals of Merck, a global pharmaceutical and chemical group. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactureS.A.d markets innovative S.A.l moleculeS.A.d biopharmaceuticals to help patients with unmet medical needs. Its North American business operates in the United S.A.eS.A.d Canada as EMD Serono.
Merck Serono has leading brands serving patients with cancer (Erbitux®, cetuximab), multiple sclerosis (Rebif®, interferon beta-1a), infertility (Gonal-f®, follitropin alfa), endocrine and cardiometabolic disorders (Glucophage®, metformin); (Concor®, bisoprolol); (Euthyrox®, levothyroxine); (Saizen® and Serostim®, somatropin). Not all productS.A.e available in all markets.
With an annual R&D expenditure of around EUR 1bn, Merck Serono is committed to growing its business in specialist-focused therapeutic areas including neurodegenerative diS.A.es, oncology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as new areas potentially arising out of reS.A.ch and development in autoimmune and inflammatory diS.A.es.
About Merck
Merck iS.A.global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of EUR 7.6 billion in 2008, a history that began in 1668, and a future S.A.ed by 32,800 employees in 59 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holdS.A. approximately 70% interest and free S.A.eholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.
For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.com or http://www.merck.de
Source: Merck Serono
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