Shire Pharmaceuticals files ulcerative colitis treatment

Shire Pharmaceuticals has applied for European marketing authorisation for its mild to moderate ulcerative colitis treatment SPD476.

The sector which SPD476, the delayed-release mesalazine formulation, will compete in is estimated to be worth around $1.6 billion a year and applications have also been filed in the US and Canada for the once a day oral treatment.

Shire Chief Executive Matthew Emmens said: “The European submissions for SPD476 represent the achievement of another important milestone for Shire.

“Currently there is no once-daily oral treatment for ulcerative colitis so we look forward to offering patients the efficacy and convenience of SPD476.”

SPD476 is the only ulcerative colitis treatment to utilize MMX Multi Matrix SystemTM (MMX) drug delivery technology to provide delayed and extended release of mesalazine throughout the colon.

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