Orexo has confirmed that Meda has initiated the launch of the drug Edluar in the US. The launch follows the US Food and Drug Administration’s approval in March this year of Edluar 5mg and 10mg sublingual tablets for the short-term treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation.
The company said that Meda acquired exclusive worldwide commercialization rights for Edluar from Orexo in 2008. Orexo will receive royalty payments on Meda’s sales of Edluar in the US.
Torbjorn Bjerke, CEO of Orexo, said: “Edluar offers insomnia sufferers a convenient and effective treatment and Meda is well placed to sell Edluar in the US market.”
Reportedly, Edluar is a fast-acting, sublingual formulation of zolpidem. It is based on Orexo’s sublingual technology, involving a tablet placed under the tongue for fast and effective absorption of the active ingredient across the oral mucosa.