Norgine receives NICE approval for Targaxan 550

Norgine has announced that its new hepatic encephalopathy treatment Targaxan 550 has been approved by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

A final appraisal determination has been published this week by the regulator that will allow the drug to be prescribed to NHS patients in England and Wales. It is designed to help reduce the recurrence of episodes of overt hepatic encephalopathy in patients aged 18 years and above.

Hepatic encephalopathy is a serious and potentially life-threatening neuropsychiatric condition associated with advanced liver disease and affects around 10,000 patients in the UK. Treatment options for this disease are extremely limited.

The efficacy of Targaxan 550 has been demonstrated in real-world studies, paving the way for it to become the first therapy for hepatic encephalopathy made available in the UK since lactulose in 1969.

Peter Martin, chief operating officer at Norgine, said: "Norgine is very pleased that the true value of Targaxan 550 has been recognised. It is a reflection of the value this medicine brings to patients, carers and the healthcare system."