Respiratory

Asthma and allergies are widespread diseases. By 2011, an expected 60 million people will suffer from asthma and 180 million from allergic rhinitis just in the seven largest markets—France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another widespread disease commonly associated with asthma and allergies. By 2011, about 60 million people in those same seven markets will suffer from COPD.

Meda’s 10 most important products include three in the respiratory therapy area: Astepro and Astelin (allergic and non-allergic rhinitis) and Novopulmon (asthma, COPD, and chronic bronchitis). Some of Meda’s other respiratory products, not included in the top 10, are Allergospasmin (reproterol, sodium cromoglycate), a combination drug for treatment of exercise-induced asthma and mild asthma caused, for example, by allergies; Formatris, for treatment of asthma, COPD, and chronic bronchitis; Ventilastin (salbutamol), a bronchodilator that alleviates asthma and COPD symptoms; and Optivar (azelastine), for treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

Examples of Meda's key products
in the Respiratory therapy area:

Astepro

Astepro contains azelastine, an active ingredient, and is a nasal spray approved for seasonal allergies. Launch on the US market began in Q4 2009, and the product has been well received.

Astepro sales in 2009 amounted to SEK 416 million (45). In Q3, the FDA approved Astepro once-daily. The product contains a higher dose of Astepro. Launch of the once-daily product on the US market began in October 2009.

Astelin

Astelin, containing the active ingredient azelastine, is a nasal spray approved for treatment of allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. On the US market, Astepro has replaced Astelin to a large degree, which explains the decline in sales during the year. In Europe, Meda markets azelastine products under brands such as Allergodil and Rhinolast. Astelin sales in 2009 amounted to SEK 1,369 million (1,472).

In the US, patent protection for Astelin expires in May 2011, but agreements are in place with three companies to introduce a generic product before then, in return for paying a royalty to Meda for a defined period. The first of these companies may start selling a generic product in March 2010.

Novopulmon

Novopulmon is used to treat asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic bronchitis.

Novopulmon contains the active ingredient budesonide. It uses the Novolizer inhalation system, an advanced refillable multi-dose dry powder inhaler (MDPI). Novolizer is a patented system driven solely by inhalation. Unlike other systems, the system provides signals that indicate correct inhalation and assure proper drug delivery.

The Novolizer system is available with various pharmaceutical substances for complete asthma and COPD therapy. Besides budesonide, Meda also markets Novolizer with formoterol and salbutamol.

Novopulmon is available in strengths of 200 and 400 µg, of which the 200 µg dose is registered and launched on most major European markets, and has a market leading position in Germany. Novopulmon sales in 2009 were SEK 206 million (180).

Formatris

The active ingredient in Formatris is formoterol, a bronchodilator or long-acting beta agonist, which is used for the treatment of asthma and COPD. Like Novopulmon, Formatris is delivered via Novolizer, a dry powder inhaler. Formatris is available in two strengths, 6 and 12 ěg, depending on the market.

Formatris sales reached SEK 176 million (180) in 2009.