ProStrakan Launches First Transdermal CINV Drug; 3M DDS to Manufacture

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recently granted approval for ProStrakan Group plc to market SANCUSO (Granisetron Transdermal System) in the European Union (EU), with 3M Drug Delivery Systems acting as the manufacturer. ProStrakan begins marketing the product this month in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. Additional European countries are expected to be added in 2014.

Initially introduced in the US in 2008, SANCUSO is the first and only treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting that does not require pills or intravenous (IV) administration. The transdermal patch is applied to the upper arm and can be worn for 7 days, providing continuous transdermal delivery and eliminating the need to take pills daily to control nausea and vomiting. This simple-to-use treatment has been proven effective in patients at risk for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

“SANCUSO is a great illustration of the patient-friendly benefits of transdermal treatment,” said Jim Ingebrand, President and General Manager, 3M Drug Delivery Systems. “We look forward to a continued partnership with ProStrakan to bring SANCUSO to new markets.”

3M Drug Delivery Systems is applying more than 30 years of transdermal experience and regulatory expertise to its manufacturing responsibilities for SANCUSO. The company’s cGMP-compliant manufacturing and strength in global supply chain management ensure reliability and a smooth process from start to finish for manufacturing partners.

“SANCUSO is already proving to be an important option for patients in the US suffering from chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting,” said Jamie Blackport, Senior Vice President of International Marketing at ProStrakan. “We are excited about working together with 3M to bring this important treatment to patients in the EU.”

While ProStrakan has previously relied on a different manufacturer for the US supply of SANCUSO, FDA approval is currently pending for the 3M Drug Delivery Systems manufactured product.

SANCUSO (Granisetron Transdermal System) is the first and only 5-HT3 receptor antagonist available as a transdermal patch for the prevention of CINV. SANCUSO transdermal patch is indicated in adults for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy, for a planned duration of 3 to 5 consecutive days, where oral anti-emetic administration is complicated by factors making swallowing difficult.

ProStrakan Group plc is a rapidly growing specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of prescription medicines for the treatment of unmet therapeutic needs in major markets. ProStrakan is a subsidiary of Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Ltd., the Japan-based global specialty pharmaceutical company. ProStrakan’s head office is located in Galashiels in Scotland. The company’s development capabilities are centered in Galashiels and Bridgewater, NJ. Sales and marketing of ProStrakan’s portfolio of products are handled by commercial subsidiaries in the UK, US, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and other EU countries. For more information, visit www.prostrakan.com.

3M Drug Delivery Systems partners with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to develop and manufacture pharmaceutical products using 3M’s inhalation, transdermal, or microneedle drug delivery technology. 3M offers a full range of feasibility, development, and manufacturing capabilities to help bring products to market. Regulatory expertise, quality assurance, operations, marketed product support, and other in-house resources are available for each step of the development and commercialization process. For more information, visit www.3M.com/dds or call 1-800-643-8086.