Ferring launches new ulcerative colitis therapy in Europe

Ferring has announced the European launch of Cortiment MMX, an innovative therapy for active mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis where mesalazine treatment is not sufficient.

The drug is the first and only approved oral controlled-release budesonide treatment for this indication and was developed by Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, with Ferring holding the rights to market the product in Europe and other territories.

In the recent clinical trial Contribute, Cortiment MMX was shown to be significantly more effective than placebo at inducing combined clinical and endoscopic remission in patients with ulcerative colitis experiencing a flare up despite oral mesalazine therapy.

Michel Pettigrew, president of the executive board and chief operating officer at Ferring, said: "With the European launch of Cortiment MMX, a new treatment with a novel formulation for active, mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis, we are expanding our portfolio and delivering on the Ferring commitment to innovation in gastroenterology."

Earlier this month, the company agreed to acquire the assets of BioSurface Engineering Technologies, a deal that includes two phase III-ready orthobiologic product candidates designed to improve bone repair.