Teva wins positive CHMP verdict on new contraceptive

Teva has been granted a positive opinion from a European Medicines Agency (EMEA) committee on a new contraceptive pill.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has endorsed the investigational Nomac-E2 drug for EMEA approval following a review of data from clinical trials.

Nomac-E2 differentiates itself from other contraceptive treatments through its use of oestrogen that is structurally identical to that produced by the ovaries of non-pregnant women, in addition to a selective progesterone analogue.

If approved for sale in Europe, it will be marketed jointly by Teva and its recently-acquired Theramex division.

Gerard van Odijk, president and chief executive officer of Teva in Europe, said: "Nomac-E2 will provide an important addition to Teva's women's health product portfolio and will advance our efforts to expand our women's health franchise globally."

The company completed its acquisition of Theramex, the former European women's health business unit of Merck Serono, in January 2011.