Organon, the human healthcare
business unit of Akzo Nobel (Euronext Amsterdam: AKZ), announced
that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has
approved rocuronium bromide, its neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA)
for use during general anesthesia, under the brand name Eslax. This drug
has a fast onset of action and is one of the most widely used muscle
relaxants in the United States, Canada and many European countries
(marketed under the brand names Zemuron/Esmeron).
Rocuronium bromide was first introduced in the USA in 1994, and quickly became
one of the most commonly used muscle relaxants in many countries. It has a
proven safety profile and has been used in over 140 million patients, including an
estimated 20 million patients in 2006.
Nippon Organon, Organon's Japanese affiliate, is preparing to introduce the drug
in the course of this year. This will be the next innovation by Organon in a long line
for the Japanese anesthesia market following on the introduction of Mioblock®
(pancuronium bromide), Musculax® (vecuronium bromide) and TOF-Watch®.
Welcoming the introduction of this important new agent, Professor Takeda,
department of Anesthesiology, Keio University, Japan commented: "The
introduction will undoubtedly contribute to greater patient safety during surgery in
Japan. This agent's rapid onset of action allows almost all patients to be intubated
within approximately one minute of its administration. Additionally, it will come in a
ready-to-use solution and no active metabolites with the drug have been shown in
clinical trials to date which further contributes to safety and ease of continuous
infusion. Japanese anesthesiologists will certainly welcome this important new
drug to their armamentarium as it will provide rapid and reliable neuromuscular
relaxation."
"We work to be a well respected partner for the anesthesiology professionals in
Japan and I am pleased we will bring them a new drug that has already earned a
strong position around the rest of the world," added Willem de Laat, executive vice
president Medical Affairs, Organon, "In our commitment to the anesthesia field we
will continue to work in close partnership with the Japanese anesthesiology
professionals to develop innovative and safe solutions that assist them in caring
for their patients."
Background information
NMBAs (muscle relaxants), including rocuronium bromide (Eslax®/Esmeron®/ Zemuron®),
are administered during surgery to facilitate safe and rapid endotracheal intubation (placing
a tube in the windpipe to facilitate artificial ventilation) and provide total skeletal muscle
relaxation. Although not all surgeries require the use of muscle relaxants, they are often
used when the surgeon requires the patient's muscles to be relaxed during the procedure.
When the procedure is completed, the NMBA needs to either wear off spontaneously
(which can take some time) or be actively reversed so that the patients can breathe
spontaneously as they are awakened and the endotracheal tube is removed.
About Organon
Organon creates, manufactures and markets innovative prescription medicines that
improve the health and quality of human life. Through a combination of innovation and
business partnerships, Organon seeks to leverage its position as a leading
biopharmaceutical company in each of its core therapeutic fields: fertility, gynecology and
selected areas of anesthesia. It has extensive expertise in neuroscience and a rich and
focused R&D program. Research areas also include immunology and specific areas of
oncology. Organon products are distributed in over 100 countries worldwide, of which more
than 50 have an Organon subsidiary. Organon is the human healthcare business unit of
Akzo Nobel.
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