Aralez gains approval for Blexten from Health Canada

Canadian drugmaker Aralez Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ARLZ) reports Health Canada approval of Blexten (bilastine) for the treatment of the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) (such as itchiness and hives), in-licensed from Spain’s Faes Farma.

The approval was granted to Aralez Pharmaceuticals Trading, a subsidiary of Aralez formed under the laws of Ireland. Blexten will be distributed in Canada by Tribute Pharmaceuticals Canada, also a subsidiary of the company, itself the result of a merger last year between Tribute Pharmaceuticals Canada and the USA’s Pozen (The Pharma Letter December 8, 2015).

"Blexten represents an opportunity to introduce the first new antihistamine in Canada in over 15 years," said Adrian Adams, chief executive of Aralez, adding: "Blexten represents an additional treatment option that physicians can offer Canadian patients suffering from seasonal allergies and hives. Blexten is patent protected and qualifies for eight years of market exclusivity under Health Canada's Office of Patented Medicines and Liaison and we believe all of these factors will play an active role in driving organic growth of the Canadian business."