Denmark sees first launches of Almirall's Eklira Genuair and ViroPharma's Plenadren

Spain’s largest drugmaker, Almirall (ALM: MC), says that the Danish Health and Medicines Authority has granted general reimbursement for its Eklira Genuair (aclidinium 322mcg twice daily), as a maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adult patients, following the positive recommendation by the Danish Reimbursement Committee and the marketing approval from the European Commission (The Pharma Letter July 25).

“The launch of Eklira Genuair in Denmark is the first step in the European roll out of this new therapeutic option for COPD. We also expect to make this medicine available to patients in the UK and Germany soon,” said Eduardo Sanchiz, chief executive of Almirall, adding: “With this medicine, Danish patients are also introduced to Genuair, a new user-friendly inhaler which is easy to use and has a novel feedback mechanism to reassure the patients that they have correctly taken their medication.”

Forthcoming launches are expected in the UK and Germany which, together with the Nordic countries, account for almost half of the European COPD market. The product is partnered with companies such as Forest Labs for the USA, where it carries the trade name Tudorza Pressair and was approved in July, Menarini for Europe, Kyorin in Japan and Daewoong in Korea. Additionally, agreements have been signed with Quintiles in the UK and Germany.