SpePharm, a Dutch specialty pharmaceutical company, has introduced two new products, MuGard and Xerotin, aimed at relieving some of the most debilitating side effects experienced by cancer patients, in Europe.
The European rollout of MuGard and Xerotin will begin in April 2009 with Germany, Italy, UK, Nordic countries and Greece. The rest of Europe will follow over the coming 12 to 18 months.
SpePharm said that MuGard is a ready-to-use, muco-adhesive oral rinse indicated for the prevention and management of the lesions and symptoms of oral mucositis, a condition mainly caused or induced by radiation and/or chemotherapy. Treatment with MuGard should be initiated at the beginning of radiation therapy or chemotherapy before the signs and symptoms of mucositis are evident.
Xerotin is a ready-to-use mouth moisturizing spray indicated for the relief of xerostomia, the lack of, or reduced levels of, saliva, which is a common side-effect of some cancer treatments especially radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, Sjogren’s syndrome, nerve damage and also a common side effect of chronic administration of many medications.
SpePharm has obtained the exclusive rights to distribute Xerotin throughout Europe from Difa-Cooper, an Italian company which is the manufacturer of Xerotin.
Caroline Dumas, vice president of medical affairs at SpePharm, said: These new treatment options will provide much needed respite for patients. The efficacy of MuGard in delaying the onset of lesions of oral mucositis and in significantly reducing their severity has been demonstrated using validated scales for the assessment of oral mucositis.