Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) boosted Sagent Pharmaceuticals Inc. (SGNT) by clearing its injectable therapy, Orphenadrine Citrate. The FDA approval will allow the Schaumburg, Illinois-based Sagent to market Orphenadrine as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy and other measures to get relief from acute painful musculoskeletal conditions. The drug is expected to be launched in the third quarter of 2011. Sagent, founded in 2006, will market the therapy in 60 mg per 2 mL single-dose, latex-free vials.
Orphenadrine is an anticholinergic drug, marketed under various brand names, for treating painful muscle spasms and other similar discomforts. As per data from IMS, the injectable market for orphenadrine in the US was worth approximately $4.3 million.
The FDA approval of the therapy comes close on the heels of the launch of another injectable therapy at Sagent Pharma- vecuronium bromide as an adjunct to general anesthesia. Vecuronium, a neuromuscular blocking agent, was launched in 10 and 20 mg single-use vials.
The blocking agent is used to facilitate endotracheal intubation and provide relaxation of skeletal muscles during surgery or mechanical ventilation. As per data from IMS, the market for vecuronium bromide in the US was worth approximately $10 million in 2010. The launch of vecuronium bromide by Sagent Pharma in the US is highly beneficial for the concerned patient population as the blocking agent is currently in short supply in the country.
Currently, Sagent Pharma, which focuses on developing, manufacturing, sourcing and marketing pharmaceutical products, carries a Zacks #4 Rank (Sell rating) in the short run.
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