NEWS

Pharmanovia has announced that it will expand its neurology portfolio with the acquisition of a selection of central nervous system (CNS) brands from Sanofi. The brands it will acquire include four therapy areas, which are psycholeptic, anxiolytic, anti-epileptic and anti-psychotic.

One class of drug included in the acquisition is Clobazam from a class of benzodiazepines, used to treat anxiety or certain psychiatric conditions in certain patients. The brands of this drug acquired include: Frisium, Sentil, Urbanyl, Urbanil, Urbanol, Urbadan, Noiafren and Castilium. The deal also includes phenobarbital, under the brand name Gardenal, which can be used as an anticonvulsant to treat epilepsy; cyamemazine, under the brand name Tercian, for the treatment of some psychotic conditions, anxiety and some types of depression; and prochlorperazine, under the brand name Stemil, to treat vertigo, schizophrenia, acute mania and as a short-term treatment for anxiety.

Dr James Burt, CEO of Pharmanovia, commented: “Sanofi’s decision to divest this established CNS portfolio, with leading brands such as Frisium and Gardenal, to Pharmanovia is recognition of our neurology expertise, our capabilities in life cycle management and reputation of being a trusted divestment partner. We’re excited to use this knowledge and our global platform to ensure these important medicines not only continue to be available to the millions of patients who need them, but – through our life cycle management – continue to evolve to meet patient needs.[...] Through this acquisition, we are not only building depth in geography, but we’re also bringing in products that have a clear synergy with our existing portfolio and the core sub-therapy focuses of mental health and epilepsy, where there continues to be significant unmet need.”