Medac Pharma's Rasuvo injection gets FDA approval for RA, pJIA and psoriasis

Jul 14 2014

Medac Pharma, Inc., a privately held pharmaceutical company focused on the development of new molecules and improving the effectiveness of existing medicines, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Rasuvo™, a subcutaneous injectable methotrexate (MTX) therapy delivered in an auto-injector for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polyarticular-course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) and psoriasis. Rasuvo will be available in 10 dosage strengths, ranging from 7.5 mg to 30 mg in 2.5 mg increments and will be launched in the U.S.

The company concurrently announced that the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware has denied a motion for a preliminary injunction filed by Antares Pharma, Inc.

"We're delighted to have secured approval for our lead product, Rasuvo, and look forward to introducing this much-needed therapy to the market," stated Ms. Terri Shoemaker, President and CEO of Medac Pharma, Inc. "Methotrexate has long been recognized as a mainstay in rheumatoid arthritis therapy. With its virtually painless administration, broad dose range, and significantly enhanced bioavailability, we believe Rasuvo may benefit those patients using methotrexate." Regarding the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware's decision, Ms. Shoemaker stated, "We're pleased with the Court's decision and are moving forward with our commercialization efforts as planned."

With more than 30 years of clinical usage, MTX remains the most commonly used drug for treating RA and is recommended by both the American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism as a first-line therapy for RA patients. While many patients prescribed MTX take an oral form of this drug, this route of administration has been associated with highly variable absorption rates and inconsistent bioavailability among patients.

Medac Pharma, Inc. developed Rasuvo to optimize MTX therapy. The subcutaneous mode of delivery of Rasuvo, with its wide range of dosing options, has been designed to improve bioavailability.

Rheumatologist Eric Ruderman, MD, Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, stated, "As a rheumatologist, I believe Rasuvo will offer patients the opportunity to maximize the benefit they get from methotrexate. Rasuvo's dosing flexibility, in particular, will be very helpful, as RA patients do not all respond equally to methotrexate, making it important to select a treatment regimen that is appropriate for the patient's condition."