Shire launches Mezavant XL in the UK

The drug was launched in the US as Lialda in March this year, and the UK launch is the first in a European country. Shire licensed the rights to the drug in Europe and North America from Giuliani, an Italian pharmaceutical company which in turn licensed the drug from Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, which developed the drug.

According to Cosmo, Mezavant XL is the first and only EU approved once-daily oral formulation of mesalamine 5-aminosalicyclic acid, a first-line treatment for patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.

Mauro Ajani, CEO of Cosmo, said: “The launch of Mezavant XL in the largest EU market is excellent news for Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, our partners Shire and Giuliani and for ulcerative colitis patients in the UK. We now look forward to the launch and availability of the product in the rest of the EU.”