Norgine’s Dantrium shows benefits in new study

Norgine has highlighted data from a recent clinical study that further underlines the positive performance of its drug product Dantrium (dantrolene).

The new Canadian epidemiologic study revealed a 15.5 percent incidence of adverse anaesthetic reactions triggered by succinylcholine alone, while also indicating that prompt administration of dantrolene can greatly improve survival rates following such reactions.

If given intravenously between ten and 19 minutes after the start of malignant hyperthermia, Dantrium can reduce the incidence of complications such as renal and cardiac dysfunction or disseminated intravascular coagulation to less than 20 percent.

Dr Gunilla Islander, of the department of anaesthesia at Sweden's Lund Hospital, said the data "emphasises that survival from a malignant hyperthermia crisis, a rare condition, is highly dependent on early recognition and prompt action, and that the rapid use of dantrolene can ensure patient survival".

Norgine commercialises Dantrium in Europe after acquiring the asset from SpePharm through a joint venture agreement in December 2012.

This comes after the company agreed a deal to promote Altacor's dry eye product Clinitas in the UK last month.