Meda and Valeant Pharmaceuticals : Sublinox approved in Canada

July 25 2011 – The insomnia drug Sublinox (Edluar) has been approved in Canada. Meda and its partner Valeant expect to begin the launch in the fourth quarter 2011.


Sublinox will be marketed by the joint venture between Meda and Valeant, Meda Valeant Pharma Canada Inc. Meda has global rights to the drug and markets it in the USA since 2009 under the name Edluar. Orexo, who has developed the drug, is entitled to royalties on sales.


The approval is for short-term treatment of insomnia. Sublinox is based on Orexo's sublingual tablet technology. The drug is placed under the tongue where it rapidly disintegrates and the active substance zolpidem is absorbed through the oral mucosa... Orexo's Press Release - Meda's Press Release - Valeant's Press Release -

ResMed : Acquisition of BiancaMed

July 6, 2011 - ResMed Inc. (NYSE: RMD and ASX: RMD), a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of medical equipment for treating, diagnosing and managing sleep-disordered breathing and other respiratory disorders, announced that it has acquired BiancaMed Ltd., a leading Irish medical technology company. ResMed purchased all of BiancaMed's outstanding shares with cash.

BiancaMed has developed and is marketing an innovative, convenient, non-contact device to monitor sleep and breathing in the home and hospital. BiancaMed's SleepMinder(TM) is an accurate, touch-free device that measures sleep and breathing with sophisticated biometric software. The core of BiancaMed's proprietary technology is a motion sensor that can detect respiration and movement without physical contact with the human body. The company is developing a number of other applications for the technology, across a range of medical and consumer settings.

BiancaMed will become a part of ResMed's newly-created Ventures and Initiatives unit. ResMed estimates the acquisition will dilute ResMed's earnings per share by approximately $0.04 in fiscal year 2012, excluding amortization of intangibles and one-time acquisition related costs... ResMed's Press Release - [PDF] BiancaMed's Press Release -

DeVilbiss Healthcare : Clinical Trial Confirming the Effectiveness of SmartFlex™ Technology

July 5, 2011 – DeVilbiss Healthcare recently sponsored a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical study which confirmed the effectiveness of DeVilbiss SmartFlex Technology, a new exhalation pressure relief solution to enhance patient comfort.

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) represents the gold standard in the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). In recent years, pressure modification has become accepted as an important feature improving patients’ comfort and compliance. However, there has been some speculation that excessive pressure relief may compromise the effectiveness of therapy.

The study confirmed SmartFlex Technology to be equally effective to standard Auto-PAP therapy in that respiratory events and oxygen saturation during sleep were normalized among the participants. In addition, treatment with SmartFlex showed a lower leak rate, which likely contributes to the greater subject acceptance rates. As expected, both modalities resulted in improved daytime alertness, but improved daytime energy levels, ability to relax and nocturnal sleep were also demonstrated with SmartFlex Technology... DeVilbiss Healthcare's Press Release -

Acurest : Custom CPAP Mask Now Available for Sleep Apnea Sufferers in the U.S.

May 31, 2011 - Acurest, the world's only provider of custom-made Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) nasal masks for the treatment of sleep apnea disorder, announced that the solution is now available to sleep apnea sufferers in the U.S. Made specifically for each individual from the mold of the patient's face, Acurest's TrueFIT™ Custom Mask features hypo-allergenic materials which will not produce skin reactions, is leak free and fits comfortably, allowing for ease of movement during sleep. The new mask lasts three times longer than off-the-shelf masks.
For Robert Couch, a sleep apnea sufferer who resides in Irving, Texas, purchasing the TrueFIT™ Custom Mask from Acurest proved life-altering.
"I was deep into my stages of sleep apnea and was resigned that I would have to undergo multiple intrusive surgeries that were not guaranteed to work," said Couch. "I continued to purchase uncomfortable, leaking masks which forced my wife to sleep in another room so she could get rest at night. The first morning after using the mask, I woke up refreshed and for the first time in years, felt like I finally knew what a good night's sleep was."... Acurest's Press Release -