Schering-Plough receives EU approval

Schering-Plough has said it has received approval for its Temodal (temozolomide) intravenous formulation from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).

The capsules are a chemotherapy agent for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme concomitantly with radiotherapy and monotherapy.

It can also be used for malignant gliomas, such as anaplastic astrocytoma.

Robert Spiegel, chief medical officer and senior vice-president at Schering Plough Research Institute, said: “Temodal is a well recognised, effective treatment for patients in Europe with malignant gliomas, but is only available orally.”

“These two new options demonstrate Schering-Plough’s commitment to providing effective treatments in a variety of presentations for specific patient needs.”

In other news, Schering-Plough and Perrigo have agreed a settlement on a patent-infringement lawsuit, which will see the latter able to launch a generic version of allergy drug Clarinex on July 1st 2012.

Under the terms of the settlement, the company will be able to sell the product – also known as desloratadine – in five mg tablet form.

Based in Kenilworth, US, Schering-Plough employs 55,000 people and had net sales in 2007 of $12.7 billion (8.72 billion pounds).

The company has business operations in more than 140 countries.