UPDATE 1-EU agency backs Schering-Plough anaesthesia drug
(Adds Schering-Plough CEO comment, background)
LONDON, June 2 (Reuters) - A new drug from Schering-Plough Corp SGP.N aimed at helping patients emerge more quickly from anesthesia has been recommended for approval in Europe, the region's medicines watchdog said on Monday.
The European Medicines Agency said Bridion, also known generically as sugammadex, was recommended for the reversal of neuromuscular block induced by rocuronium or vecuronium.
Recommendations for marketing approval by the agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) are normally endorsed by the European Commission within a couple of months.
Schering-Plough acquired the drug after buying Organon BioSciences, the drugs arm of Akzo Nobel (AKZO.AS), last year. Analysts have said that, if approved in major markets, it could generate between $200 million and $1 billion a year in revenue.
"This is an important first step in realising the promise of our Organon BioSciences acquisition," said Chief Executive Fred Hassan.
"This was a relatively unknown asset before our acquisition announcement last March, and we are pleased we saw this opportunity."
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration expert panel voted in March that the drug was safe and effective. (Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Quentin Bryar)
