EUSA Pharma Completes the European Launch of CAPHOSOL(R) for Prevention and Treatment...

EUSA Pharma Completes the European Launch of CAPHOSOL(R) for Prevention and
Treatment of Oral Mucositis Caused by Cancer Therapy

DOYLESTOWN, Pennsylvania and OXFORD, England, March 31 /PRNewswire/ --
EUSA Pharma Inc ('EUSA'), a transatlantic specialty pharmaceutical company
focused on oncology, pain control and critical care, announced today the
successful completion of its European launch of CAPHOSOL(R) for the
prevention and treatment of oral mucositis associated with cancer therapy, as
an adjunct to standard oral care. CAPHOSOL is also indicated for
hyposalivation and xerostomia (dryness of the mouth or throat) irrespective
of the cause.
"CAPHOSOL's European launch represents an important strategic milestone
for EUSA as it is the first product to leverage our recently constructed
commercial infrastructure, which now spans both Europe and North America,"
said Bryan Morton, EUSA Pharma's President and Chief Executive Officer.
"CAPHOSOL's introduction into the key French, German, Italian, Spanish,
Benelux and UK markets, as well as a number of other EU countries, represents
an important opportunity for EUSA to continue its rapid growth as the company
commercializes its growing portfolio of speciality medicines on both sides of
the Atlantic. Based on EUSA's expanding market presence across the company's
areas of medical and geographic focus, we can increasingly compete with major
players as a partner of choice for those seeking transatlantic commercial and
late-stage development expertise."
Mr Morton continued, "We are proud to introduce CAPHOSOL as it brings
important patient benefits, because oral mucositis is a particularly common
and often devastating side effect of cancer therapy, with limited treatment
options. CAPHOSOL has been available since 2007 in the US, and with our
recent introductions in the EU, this preventative treatment is now available
to the large number of European cancer patients at risk of developing this
debilitating condition. As part of EUSA's commitment to the oncology field,
we also intend to work with our broader distribution network to introduce
CAPHOSOL on a global basis."
About oral mucositis and CAPHOSOL
Oral mucositis is one of the most common and debilitating complications
of radiation and high dose chemotherapy, with limited options for its
prevention and treatment. The condition, which affects approximately 40% of
patients who receive conventional chemotherapy [1] and nearly all patients
receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer [2], is an inflammation
of the mucous membranes of the mouth with symptoms ranging from redness to
severe ulceration. This can cause intense pain requiring opioid treatment and
can prevent patients taking anything by mouth, which may interrupt cancer
therapy and result in hospitalization. The economic impact of mucositis can
be significant, as the need for prolonged hospital stays, nutritional therapy
and treatments for pain and infection can drive up the costs of therapy.
CAPHOSOL, a supersaturated calcium phosphate rinse with a high concentration
of electrolytes, lubricates the tissues allowing them to slide on contact and
minimizing friction, ulceration and corresponding pain and discomfort.
In a prospective, randomized clinical trial CAPHOSOL treatment resulted
in a significant improvement of oral mucositis caused by radiation and/or
chemotherapy, with the frequency, duration and severity significantly reduced
amongst those who received CAPHOSOL compared with patients in the control
group. The results of the 95-patient trial demonstrated that those receiving
CAPHOSOL experienced approximately half the number of days of mucositis (3.72
vs. 7.22, P<0.001), under half the days of pain (2.86 vs. 7.67, P<0.0001),
needed less than a third the dose of morphine (34.54 mg vs. 122.78 mg,
P<0.0001) and endured two-thirds fewer days requiring morphine (1.26 vs.
4.02, P<0.00015) compared with patients administered a control treatment [3].
About EUSA Pharma
EUSA Pharma is a rapidly growing transatlantic specialty pharmaceutical
company focused on in-licensing, developing and marketing late-stage
oncology, pain control and critical care products. The company currently has
eight marketed products, including Caphosol(R) for the treatment of oral
mucositis, a common and debilitating side-effect of radiation therapy and
high dose chemotherapy, Erwinase(R) and Kidrolase(R) for the treatment of
acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Collatamp(R) G, a surgical implant impregnated
with the antibiotic gentamicin, ProstaScint(R) for imaging the extent and
spread of prostate cancer and Quadramet(R) for the treatment of pain in
patients whose cancer has spread to the bones. EUSA also has several products
in late-stage development.
Founded in 2006, EUSA Pharma is supported by a consortium of leading life
science capital investors, comprising Essex Woodlands, 3i, Goldman Sachs,
Advent Venture Partners, SV Life Sciences, TVM Capital, NeoMed and NovaQuest.
Since its foundation, the company has raised over $275 million, and completed
several significant transactions, including the acquisitions of Cytogen
Corporation, Talisker Pharma Limited, the French biopharmaceutical company
OPi SA and the European antibiotic and pain control business of Innocoll
Pharmaceuticals Inc. Key to its rapid growth strategy is the company's
established commercial infrastructure in the US, pan-European presence
covering over 20 countries and wider distribution network in a further 25
territories. EUSA Pharma plans to continue its aggressive program of
acquisitions and in-licensing, in line with its ambitious target to become
the leading specialty company in its areas of therapeutic and geographic
focus.
For more information please visit http://www.eusapharma.com.
[1] Kostler WJ, Hejna M, Wenzel C, Zielinski CC. Oral mucositis
complicating chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy: options for prevention and
treatment. CA Cancer J Clin 2001;51:290-315.
[2] Sonis, Stephen T. "Oral Mucositis in Cancer Therapy." Supportive
Oncology 2 (2004): 3-8.
[3] Papas AS et al. A prospective, randomized trial for the prevention of
mucositis in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Bone Marrow Transplant 2003;31:705-712.
Contacts

Bryan Morton
Chief Executive
EUSA Pharma
Tel: +44(0)1865-784255

Rob Budge
RJB Communications
Tel: +44(0)1865-760969
Mobile: +44(0)7710-741241

SOURCE EUSA Pharma Inc

Contacts: Bryan Morton, Chief Executive, EUSA Pharma, Tel: +44(0)1865-784255;
Rob Budge, RJB Communications, Tel: +44(0)1865-760969, Mobile:
+44(0)7710-741241