Lundbeck expands Circadin rights

Medical research firm Lundbeck has agreed a deal with Neurim Pharmaceuticals to expand its exclusive commercial rights for novel sleep disorder treatment Circadin, the company has confirmed.

Under the deal, Lundbeck has obtained the rights to introduce the non-sedative drug to markets including Asia, Latin America, Australia and Turkey.

It is currently rolling out the drug in the Europe and plans to have it in 15 markets by the end of the first half of the year.

Circadin is a monotherapy for the short-term treatment of primary insomnia in patients aged 55 and above.

It was approved for use in Europe by the European Commission in June 2007, following successful clinical trials that showed positive effects on sleep induction and sleep quality without adversely affecting the ability to function during the day or quality of life.

Lundbeck executive vice-president and head of commercial operations Stig Lokke Pedersen said: “With this new agreement we will now be able to offer this valuable alternative to traditional sedative hypnotics in a number of markets worldwide to the benefit of the many patients suffering from sleep disorder problems.”

Lundbeck was founded in Copenhagen in 1915.