Lundbeck launches melatonin sleep aid

A new, first-in-class sleep medication was launched by Denmark's Lundbeck on May 14, offering hope for thousands of sufferers of insomnia in Europe. Circadin, sustained-release melatonin, provides natural sleep by increasing the body's own level of this naturally-occurring hormone throughout the night.

Melatonin is the hormone responsible for regulating the circadian rhythm (or sleep cycle) and enabling restorative sleep. Circadin, the first melatonin agent approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), is now available for the treatment of primary insomnia. It is the first approved sleep treatment to work by ensuring melatonin coverage all through the night, says the company. Unlike existing sleep medications, it is not associated with problems such as dependency and poor next day functioning.

Lundbeck holds commercialization rights to Spain, Germany, UK, Italy, France, Ireland, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta and Liechtenstein, representing 75% of the market potential in Europe. It also holds exclusive rights to commercialize Circadin in Asia, Latin America and other major markets such as Australia and Turkey. Following regulatory filing and approval Lundbeck expects to launch the product in the first markets outside of Europe in 2009.