The deal calls for the two companies to work together on a modified version of sodium oxybate (Xyrem) for narcolepsy, a neurological disorder that leads to excessive daytime sleepiness. Under the deal, Jazz will get the worldwide commercial rights to Concert’s compounds that swap in deuterium elements into sodium oxybate, including one dubbed C-10323
Although the Concert drug hasn’t yet entered clinical trials, Jazz is hoping it will provide a long line extension for its franchise drug sodium oxybate, which was first FDA approved in 2002. The drug is cleared for narcolepsy to reduce excess daytime sleepiness and reduce cataplexy (weak or paralyzed muscles) attacks. Sales have been booming recently, up more than 60 percent, to $102.6 million in the most recent quarter ended Sept. 30. The first patents on the drug begin to expire in 2019 and 2020, according to the FDA Orange Book.That's what I call thinking ahead. They are paying 120 million dollars to modify one hydrogen atom so they can get a new patent and keep charging you an arm and a leg for a drug you don't even need. They have no intention of ever distributing a generic version.
Is this the type of spending on narcolepsy research you were hoping for?
Frankly, I think it's outrageous and unconscionable.
