Patheon Releases First Shipment of Zogenix Drug

Patheon has successfully released the first commercial shipments of Zogenix‘s Sumavel DosePro (sumatriptan injection), in anticipation of the product’s U.S. commercial product launch scheduled in January 2010. The successful production of this new, needle-free drug product/delivery system is the culmination of joint manufacturing process and equipment development between the two companies, according to a Patheon statement.

“We are excited to have shipped this initial commercial launch product to Zogenix on time as they prepare for their U.S. launch,” said Wes Wheeler, chief executive officer and president of Patheon. “The DosePro manufacturing technology and dedicated manufacturing facility are state-of-the-art. Zogenix and Patheon technical teams worked closely together over the years and we have developed an excellent partnership. We are proud to be part of a first of a kind technology and a product that will meet an unmet medical need.”

Aseptic drug filling, final product assembly, and packaging of Sumavel DosePro needle-free delivery system are performed exclusively by Patheon in its Swindon, UK facility with components and assemblies from around the world designed specifically for use in the DosePro technology.

Roger Hawley, chief executive officer and director of Zogenix, added, “We are very pleased with the partnership we have developed with Patheon as we worked to make Sumavel DosePro — the industry’s first pharmaceutical product employing a pre-filled, needle-free subcutaneous delivery system — a success.” He added, “This event also clears the path for many other pharmaceutical firms who are interested in developing their drugs for use with the innovative DosePro needle-free technology.”