Nycomed, a Takeda Company, Launches Omnaris® Nasal Spray in the UAE for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

DUBAI, UAE, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

- United Arab Emirates is the First Country in the Middle East to Introduce Omnaris® to Region's Allergy Sufferers -

Nycomed, a Takeda company, today announced that Omnaris® (ciclesonide) Nasal Spray is now available in the United Arab Emirates for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, also known as nasal allergies and hay fever, in adults and adolescents over the age of 12.  

Omnaris® Nasal Spray is a long-lasting therapy indicated for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) nasal symptoms in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older, and for perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) nasal symptoms in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older. Omnaris® is a corticosteroid with a unique pro-drug formulation that has been shown to be highly tolerable^[1] and able to provide fast and powerful relief from bothersome nasal symptoms.^[2]

The symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis, such as nasal congestion and runny nose, can be bothersome enough to interfere with work and school productivity and diminish quality of life. Nasal allergies are generally recognized as the most common chronic respiratory disorder worldwide with approximately 400 million people affected.^[3]

More than one third of adults across the Emirates suffer from allergic rhinitis.^[4] With prevalence rates in the Middle East currently estimated to be as high as 10 per cent and rising, the socioeconomic burden of nasal allergies is significant.  

"The Allergies in the Middle East Survey highlights an unmet need for a safe, effective, fast and long-lasting allergy treatment for adults and adolescents in the Middle East where more and more people are suffering from allergic rhinitis," said Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman, MSc. Director of Medical Affairs, Consultant and Head of ENT Department, Dubai Hospital.

"We are excited to be able to prescribe Omnaris® to our patients in UAE as a new treatment option as approved by the authorities" said Dr. Hussain.

Omnaris® Nasal Spray provides a fast-acting and long-lasting, well tolerated and effective therapy for allergy sufferers in the UAE. Nycomed, a Takeda company, plans to launch Omnaris® in other countries in the Middle Eastern region in 2012 and providing a novel treatment option for patients.

The introduction of Omnaris® into the Middle Eastern market coincides with the release of the intriguing Allergies in Middle East (AIME) Survey sponsored by Nycomed, a Takeda Company, a global pharmaceutical company. The AIME Survey screened 7,411 households in Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and UAE. In total 501 adults and parents of children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis were surveyed. The results show that nasal allergies diminish quality of life by preventing participation in outdoor activities, interfere in work and academic performance, and overall leave allergy sufferers of all ages feeling tired, depressed or sad and miserable as a result of bothersome symptoms. Notably, most seek relief with medication, but approximately half of adults and children reported that their current nasal allergy spray failed to provide 24-hour relief and it was not effective enough to treat all symptoms.  

Notes to editors:

The following backgrounders are available upon request:

• Allergic Rhinitis Backgrounder
• Allergies in the Middle East Survey Backgrounder

The Allergies in the Middle East Survey is the latest in a series of allergy surveys supported by Nycomed, a Takeda Company in five regions around the world. For more information on Allergies in the Middle East Survey, please visit http://www.allergiesinmiddleeast.com.

About Omnaris®

Omnaris®(ciclesonide) Nasal Spray is a new intranasal corticosteroid therapy that has been studied extensively in thousands of patients with either seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis and shown to be effective and well tolerated for both conditions.

Formulated as a pro-drug and in a unique hypotonic formulation, Omnaris® addresses some important improvements on allergic rhinitis treatments such as: drug activation on the target cells, fast onset of action (studies have shown onset of action within 1 to 6 hours), increased absorption of ciclesonide and longer retention in the nasal mucosa compared to isotonic formulations, low systemic availability (1 percent) and low spray volume leading to a safety and tolerability profile compared to placebo, convenience of once daily dosage and efficacy in all main allergic rhinitis symptoms (runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing and nasal congestion).

The UAE is the first country in the Middle East to launch Omnaris® and further launches are expected throughout 2012 and 2013. Omnaris® Nasal Spray is currently approved and launched in the USA, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico; Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea and the Philippines.

About Nycomed, a Takeda Company

Nycomed is a Takeda company since end of September 2011. Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. The combined company has an active commercial presence in the therapeutic areas of metabolic diseases, gastroenterology, oncology, cardiovascular health, CNS diseases, inflammatory and immune disorders, respiratory diseases and pain management.

Takeda's traditional strengths in North America, Japan, and the rest of Asia, are now complemented by Nycomed's position in Europe and the high growth emerging markets. The combined company has a presence in more than 70 countries worldwide and ranked 12th by global Rx sales, 14th in the BRIC countries and 18th in Europe.

About Takeda

As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and one of the global leaders of the industry, Takeda is committed to strive towards better health for patients worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Additional information about Takeda is available through its corporate website, http://www.takeda.com.

This press release has been issued by Nycomed, a Takeda Company, Dubai Airport Free Zone, West Wing 3 - Office 519, P.O. 293 655, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

1. Chervinsky P, Kunjibettu S, Miller DL, Prenner BM, et al. Long-term safety and e_cacy of ciclesonide in adult and adolescent patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007;99:69-76

2. Patel P, Patel D, Kunjibettu S, Hall N, et al. Onset of Action of Ciclesonide Once Daily in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis. ENT J. 2008;87:340-353.

3. Pawankar, Ruby et al. "Special Article. Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma Update (ARIA 2008) - Western and Asian-Pacific Perspective. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology (2009) 27:237-243.

4. AMEInfo.com, 'One third of adults in UAE suffer from allergic rhinitis'. March 17, 2010. http://www.ameinfo.com/226995.html. (Accessed December 2011)