Orion publishes positive trial data for sedative agent

Orion has published results from a phase III clinical study of its sedative agent dexmedetomidine, which met its first primary endpoint in the trial.

The pharmaceutical company conducted a research programme involving 1,000 patients from ten European nations, in order to compare the sedative performance of the drug among intensive care patients to midazolam and propofol.

It was found that dexmedetomidine was able to deliver a similar sedation to both of the current standard agents, while the time to the end of mechanical ventilation of the patients was significantly reduced compared to midazolam.

The treatment has been available in the US since 2000 under the name Precedex, as well as being launched in Japan in 2004.

Orion now plans to apply for European marketing authorisation based on the trial results, with the application set to be submitted by the end of the year.

Last month, the company held its annual general meeting, during which Matti Kavetvuo was elected as its new vice-chairman of the board of directors.