Medical DevicesBiovail Receives 2009 Corporate Award From National Organization For Rare Disorders
Biovail Corporation (NYSE: BVF)(TSX: BVF) announced that the Company has received the 2009 Corporate Award from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) for the development of Xenazine® for the treatment of chorea in association with Huntington"s disease. The Award was presented last night at NORD"s Partners in Progress Gala in Washington D.C.
In accepting the award, Dr. Robert Ashworth, Biovail"s Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs said, "This award to Biovail represents the culmination of a collaborative effort among investigators, patient advocacy groups, industry and FDA. We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of another honoree, the Huntington"s Disease Society of America, in educating patients and caregivers about the appropriate use of Xenazine."
Dr. Ashworth added, "The greatest validation of efforts in drug development derives from satisfying an unmet medical need. While Xenazine is not a cure, it can transform lives devastated by the uncontrollable movements symptomatic of an unremitting neurodegenerative disease."
Biovail acquired North American rights to tetrabenazine through the September 2008 acquisition of Prestwick Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
About Xenazine (tetrabenazine)
Tetrabenazine is a highly selective and reversible centrally-acting dopamine depleting drug that works by inhibiting a molecule known as vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2). Xenazine was approved by the FDA on August 15, 2008, for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington"s disease, based on the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 study that found Xenazine significantly reduced patients" chorea burden, improved global outcome scores, and was generally safe and well tolerated. Additional post-marketing preclinical studies further elucidating the safety profile of the product are being conducted. Tetrabenazine has been available in Europe for more than 30 years and in Canada since 1996. Full prescribing information is available on the Investor Relations page of Biovail"s website at www.biovail.com.
About Huntington"s Disease
Affecting an estimated 25,000 Americans, Huntington"s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive movement disorders, cognitive dysfunction and behavioral changes and is ultimately a fatal condition. Chorea is the most common symptom, affecting approximately 90% of Huntington"s disease patients, and is characterized by excessive, involuntary and repetitive movements, which are the most visible and dangerous manifestations of Huntington"s disease and interfere with patients" abilities to perform activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing and caring for themselves. For more information about Huntington"s disease, please visit http://www.hdfoundation.org or http://www.hdsa.org.
About NORD
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.
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