Date: 2016-01-18
Type of information: Distribution agreement
Compound: Raxone® (idebenone)
Company: Santhera Pharmaceuticals (Switzerland) Ewopharma (Switzerland)
Therapeutic area: Rare diseases - Genetic diseases - Ophtalmological diseases
Type agreement: distribution supply
Action mechanism: benzoquinone analog/quinone. Raxone® (idebenone), a synthetic short-chain benzoquinone and a cofactor for the enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), is capable of transferring electrons directly onto complex III of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, thereby circumventing the complex I defect and restoring cellular energy levels in retinal ganglion cells and promoting recovery of visual acuity. Nerve and muscle cells, including heart muscle cells, are particularly energy-demanding and are, therefore, more prone to rapid cell damage or death due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Through preserving mitochondrial function and protecting cells from oxidative stress, it is believed that Raxone®/Catena® can prevent cell damage and increase the production of energy within impaired nerve and muscle tissue in Friedreich\'s Ataxia and Duchenne patients. Raxone® is the first treatment option for LHON and the first approved therapy for a mitochondrial disease.
Disease: Leber\'s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)
Details: * On January 18, 2015, Santhera Pharmaceuticals announced that it has signed an agreement with Ewopharma to launch Raxone® for the treatment of Leber\'s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in a number of Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) and the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). Ewopharma AG, headquartered in Schaffhausen is a pharmaceutical marketing company with over 270 employees and focused on the markets of Central Eastern Europe, where it has 15 local offices.
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