UCB gets ADHD drug go ahead and sells cough medicine licence

UCB Pharmaceuticals has revealed it has completed the European Mutual Procedure for its drug Equasym XL, used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults.

With the UK acting as the reference member state for the procedure – also the country where the drug was first launched – other EU countries may now set national approval standards for the use of the drug.

Equasym XL is based on methylphenidate hydrochloride, a neurostimulant that was discovered in the 1950s and has been in use for ADHD cases since the 1960s. Novartis also markets a form of methylphenidate, called Ritalin. In some formulations, the drug is used to treat narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Troy Cox, president of central nervous system operations at UCB, said: “On the granting of national licences we look forward to making Equasym XL available as a valuable ADHD treatment option to patients, families and physicians in 12 more European countries.”

“At UCB, we are committed to minimizing the impact of ADHD on children during their formative years,” he added.

UCB also announced that it has sold its Delsym cough medicine formulation to Adams Respiratory Therapeutics for $122 million (65.2 million pounds), also including future royalties.

Roch Doliveux, the chief executive officer of UCB, said: “This transaction is another step taken by UCB in its strategy to focus on research-driven innovation and novel therapeutic solutions for severe and chronic diseases treated by specialist physicians.”

UCB says that Delsym is the only over-the-counter liquid cough medicine that can deliver cough relief for twelve hours from a single does.

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