Novartis drug launched in UK through British firm

Emselex, a Novartis treatment for overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), has been launched in the UK through Ardana, an Edinburgh-based pharmaceutical company.

In September, Ardana announced it had secured the sales and marketing rights for Emselex from Novartis for ten years, with an open offer of 11 million pounds used to promote the drug.

The Scottish company expects Emselex to compete in the 82.1 million pound OAB market in the UK, which is growing at 14 per cent each year.

Emselex is an oral, once-daily drug that been used phase III trials, where it did not demonstrate an increased risk of cardiovascular events or memory loss in elderly patients.

The drug was approved by the European authorities in 2004.

Dr Maureen Lindsay, chief executive of Ardana, remarked: “We are delighted to have launched Emselex today as it is an important new treatment option for patients who suffer from this distressing condition.”

In addition to Emselex, Ardana produces Invicorp, an injectable treatment for severe male erectile dysfunction and Striant SR, a testosterone replacement therapy.

The company was formed in 2000 to market the developments of research into human reproductive sciences conducted by the Medical Research Council.