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news.Santhera Pharmaceuticals, a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company, has launched Catena in Canada. The drug is indicated for the treatment of Friedreich's Ataxia, a rare neuromuscular disease that results in the degeneration of nerve and muscle tissue.
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Catena is claimed to be the first and only approved therapy in Canada to treat this devastating genetic disorder. Santhera estimates that there are a few hundred Friedreich’s Ataxia patients in Canada, where the prevalence ranks among the highest concentrations in North America. The company is working with physicians, patient advocacy groups, government agencies and insurance companies in order to quickly provide Catena to the patients. First prescriptions are being processed.
Catena is indicated in Canada for the treatment of symptoms of Friedreich’s Ataxia in two dose therapies: a lower dose of 450mg/day for patients weighing 45kg or under and 900 mg/day for patients weighing over 45kg. Catena is supplied in polyethylene bottles containing 90 (the initial launch package size), 180, 270 and 450 tablets, containing 150mg idebenone each.
Catena has received a marketing approval with conditions from Health Canada and is marketed in Canada by Santhera’s wholly owned subsidiary, Santhera Pharmaceuticals (Canada).
Klaus Schollmeier, CEO of Santhera, said: “The launch of Catena in Canada is a first in many aspects – Catena is our first product and Canada its first market. More importantly, for the first time ever, physicians can prescribe an approved, safe and efficacious therapy to patients suffering from Friedreich’s Ataxia.”