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news.Sucampo Pharmaceuticals has commercially launched Amitiza (lubiprostone) (24 mcg daily) in the US, which is an oral medication approved for treatment of Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC) in adult patients with chronic, non-cancer pain.
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Amitiza’s launch has triggered a $10m milestone payment from Takeda Pharmaceutical as part of the collaboration and license agreement between both the companies signed in 2004 for US and Canada.
The drug has been approved to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults (24 mcg twice daily) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adult women (8mcg twice daily).
Sucampo chairman, chief executive officer, and chief scientific officer Dr Ryuji Ueno said that millions of patients in the US have been suffering from OIC, and until the approval of Amitiza for OIC, there were no oral prescription products available to treat it.
"As a locally acting ClC-2 channel activator, AMITIZA restores fluid secretion and can lead to relief for those suffering from OIC," Ueno added.
"We are pleased that with this third indication for AMITIZA, we can further our mission of meeting the unmet medical needs of patients."