Pendopharm launches GLATECT, a new treatment option for MS patients

On September 29^th, Pendopharm, a division of Pharmascience Inc., launched ^PrGLATECT™ (glatiramer acetate for injection) in Canada – for the treatment or relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) – in partnership with Synthon.

MONTREAL, Oct. 5, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - On September 29^th, Pendopharm Inc. launched an additional option for Canadian patients diagnosed with MS.

GLATECT is indicated for the treatment of ambulatory patients with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS), including patients who have experienced a single demyelinating event and have lesions typical of multiple sclerosis on brain MRI:^{1 [PM, p. 3B, 14D]}

• To decrease the frequency of clinical exacerbations
• To reduce the number and volume of active brain lesions identified on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans

The safety and efficacy of GLATECT in chronic progressive MS have not been established.^{1 [PM, p. 3B, 14D]}

Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world, with an estimated 100,000 Canadians living with the disease. MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that is characterized by inflammation and neurodegeneration.^{2 [MS Society, p. 1A, 2B]}

"Multiple sclerosis disease-modifying drugs have revolutionized how we treat patients suffering from this disease, thus improving their quality of life," says Jean-François Lemieux, VP and General Manager of Pendopharm, a division of Pharmascience Inc.

"The launch of GLATECT, a subsequent version of the original glatiramer acetate, provides a therapeutically equivalent alternative for Canadian patients living with multiple sclerosis. This launch is a prime example of how Pendopharm, a Canadian company, contributes significantly to the sustainability of the health care system by making such therapies more accessible," Lemieux adds.

About Pharmascience
Founded in 1983, Pharmascience Inc. is the largest pharmaceutical employer in Quebec with over 1,500 employees proudly headquartered in Montreal. Pharmascience Inc. is a full-service privately owned pharmaceutical company with strong roots in Canada and a growing global reach with product distribution in over 60 countries. Ranked 57^th among Canada's top 100 research & development (R&D) investors with over $44 million invested in 2015, Pharmascience Inc. is the 10^th largest pharmaceutical company in Canada. Pharmascience Inc. has strong values, which are based on the importance of investing in the personal development and life of employees and young people. At the beginning of 2017, Pharmascience Inc. has proudly been recognized for its investments by being selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People and named as one of Montreal's best employers, as part of the Canada's Top 100 Employers project. Pharmascience Inc. has strong, long-standing philanthropic ties with its communities, both locally and internationally. For more than 20 years, Pharmascience has been working through Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC) as the partner of choice to increase access to medicine. Pharmascience's total donation of essential medicine is close to $60 million. Pharmascience Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of prescription; generic, over-the-counter, and behind-the-counter products as well as FDA approved Canadian-made injectables. Pharmascience Inc. commercializes nearly 400 product families in 20 different dosage forms for over 2,000 products. In Canada alone, more than 45 million prescriptions per year are filled with Pharmascience products. For more information, please visit www.pharmascience.com.

About Pendopharm
Pendopharm, a division of Pharmascience Inc., aims to be a new partner in the treatment of MS in Canada. Pendopharm is strategically committed to growth and is actively engaged in licensing, partnering, developing, and marketing specialty prescription medicines, as well as consumer brands. For more information, please visit www.pendopharm.com.

About Synthon
Synthon, headquartered in the Netherlands, is an international, science-centered pharmaceutical company specialized in developing and manufacturing high-quality generic and innovative medicines for patients around the world. Synthon products are currently approved by regulatory agencies in over 90 countries worldwide and marketed through strategic partnerships. For more information, please visit www.synthon.com.

References: 1. GLATECT^® Product Monograph. Pharmascience Inc. January 16, 2017. 2. MS Society of Canada: About MS. https://mssociety.ca/about-ms. Accessed: May 17, 2017.

SOURCE Pharmascience Inc.