Grupo Ferrer Internacional, Alexza Pharmaceuticals' commercial partner, has begun sales of Adasuve inhalation powder, pre-dispensed (Staccato Loxapine) in the European Union (EU).
The first sale triggered a $1.25m milestone payment to Alexza under the collaboration deal with Ferrer.
Adasuve leverages Alexza's hand-held inhaler that delivers a drug aerosol to the deep lung, Staccato system, with an antipsychotic medicinal product, loxapine.
Alexza president and CEO Thomas King said, "The initial launch of ADASUVE in Germany, followed by Ferrer's planned commercial roll out across the EU, is a key milestone for Alexza."
Now available in Germany, Adasuve is the first inhalation therapy authorized in the EU to control mild-to-moderate agitation in adult patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
As per the marketing authorization, patients should receive regular treatment immediately after administration of the product to control acute agitation symptoms in a hospital setting.
To treat possible severe respiratory side-effects, such as bronchospasm, short-acting beta-agonist bronchodilator treatment should also be available.
Ferrer chief operating officer Antoni Villaro said, "ADASUVE is an important strategic product for Ferrer and we are excited to be introducing ADASUVE to the EU psychiatric and hospital treatment community."
