Ono launches elastase inhibitor in Japan

Ono Pharmaceutical launched Elaspol (sivelestat sodium hydrate) forinjection, the world's first drug for acute lung injury associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome, in Japan on June 17.

The new drug works by selectively inhibiting neutrophil elastase, an enzyme released from neutrophils and responsible for the onset of acute lung injury, and thereby can improve SIRS patients' respiratory function, according to Ono. Elaspol has been shown in clinical trials to shorten the period for which patients with lung injury need mechanical ventilation. This reduces serious stress and decreases the onset of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients under mechanical ventilation, as well as reducing medical costs.

Ono has licensed Elaspol rights outside Japan to Eli Lilly, which has been conducting a Phase II clinical study in acute lung injury that is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.