First Country in Europe Launches flutiform® (fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumarate), a New Combination Therapy for Asthma

Cambridge, England (ots/PRNewswire) -

German launch marks the first step to make flutiform available to
asthma

patients across Europe

Mundipharma today announced that flutiform(R)(fluticasone
propionate/formoterol fumarate), a new combination therapy for the
maintenance treatment of asthma, is now available for use in Germany.
The German launch marks the first European country where flutiform
can be prescribed for appropriate patients with asthma. Marketing
authorisations have already been granted in Austria, Cyprus, Germany,
Norway, The Netherlands, Slovakia, Sweden and the UK. The Netherlands
and UK are due to launch imminently, with further national approvals
and subsequent launches are expected across a number of European
countries later in 2012 and 2013.

The combination of fluticasone propionate (fluticasone), an
inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and formoterol fumarate (formoterol), a
long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) therapy is delivered via a single
aerosol inhaler for the first time. The fluticasone/formoterol
combination is indicated for the regular treatment of asthma in
patients aged 12 years and over (50/5microg and 125/5microg
strengths: adults and adolescents; 250/10microg strength: adults
only) whose symptoms are not adequately controlled on an ICS and an
as-required inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA), and in those
patients who are already adequately controlled on both an ICS and
LABA.[1]

"Asthma still represents an important clinical challenge despite
currently available treatments," said Prof. J. Christian Virchow,
Head of Department of Pneumology/Intensive Care Medicine, University
Hospital, Rostock, Germany. "The combination of
fluticasone/formoterol brings together two well established asthma
medications and has the potential to become a valuable new
maintenance treatment option for asthma patients in clinical
practice."

Mundipharma International Corporation Limited is licensed by
Jagotec AG, a SkyePharma Group company, as the authorised distributor
of the fluticasone/formoterol combination for Europe and most other
territories outside Japan and the Americas.

Understanding asthma patients in today's world: European study

Simultaneously with providing a new maintenance treatment option
for appropriate patients across Europe, Mundipharma is undertaking a
pan-European survey of asthma patients. The aim of the research is to
gain insights into perceptions and attitudes of patients towards
asthma in the context of modern lifestyles to better understand the
reasons behind the low levels of asthma control.[2],[3]

The results from this 10-country, large scale research of 8,000
asthma patients will be available later this year. Mundipharma is
hoping the survey findings will add to the evidence around the
reasons for suboptimal asthma control and inform asthma management
strategies in the future.

Notes to Editors

About Mundipharma

The Mundipharma independent associated companies have become
leaders in pain management, and are building a growing presence in
the oncology, rheumatoid arthritis and respiratory markets. Through
innovation and acquisition, the Mundipharma mission is to deliver
cutting-edge treatment solutions that meet the pressing needs of
healthcare professionals and patients. For more information:
http://www.mundipharma.com

(R) denotes a registered trade mark

References

1. flutiform SmPC

2. GINA: GINA Report, Global Strategy for Asthma Management and
Prevention. Website accessed August 2012:
http://www.ginasthma.org/uploads/users/files/GINA_Report2011_May4.pdf

3. Haughney J, Price D, et al. Respir Med 2008;102:1681-93

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