Pendopharm® signs an exclusive distribution agreement with Neuraxpharm for PrBuccolam® in Canada and announces its approval by Health Canada Français
Under the terms of the agreement, Pendopharm ® will be responsible for the commercialization of Buccolam ® (Midazolam Hydrochloride Oromucosal Solution) in Canada. Buccolam ® is indicated for the treatment of prolonged, acute, convulsive seizures in children.
Pendopharm ® is pleased to announce that Health Canada has approved Buccolam ®.
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures of various types and severity. These seizures result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain and can be triggered by a range of factors, including structural abnormalities, brain inflammation, physical injury, trauma, infection, or unknown causes. It is estimated that the underlying cause of epilepsy remains undetermined in up to 50% of patients diagnosed with epilepsy. 1
Nearly 1 out of 100 Canadians live with epilepsy, and approximately 13% of them are children and youth. 1 Despite treatment with anti-seizure medications, some patients may experience prolonged acute convulsive seizures which require immediate intervention. Early treatment of acute seizures is critical to prevent escalation and improve patient outcomes. 2,3
Benzodiazepines, are considered first-line therapy for managing prolonged seizures. 4 Buccolam ® is an oromucosal solution of midazolam (a benzodiazepine) supplied in a ready-to-use, pre-filled syringes for buccal (absorbed in the mouth) administration. 5
"Prolonged convulsive seizures in pediatric patients can have significant short- and long-term impacts", said Dr. Aris Hadjinicolaou, Pediatric Neurologist at CHU Sainte-Justine. "Having access to a ready-to-use, on-label medication could facilitate timely intervention during seizures and may decrease the need for emergency medical services".
" This partnership represents Pendopharm's commitment to bringing medicines that address unmet medical needs to Canadian patients," said Jad Isber, Vice President & General Manager of Pendopharm ®. "We look forward to working with Canadian neurologists and pediatricians to make Buccolam available to all patients who may benefit from it."
Dr. Maximilian von Wülfing, Chief Operating Officer of Neuraxpharm, said: "Through its network of strategic partnerships around the world, Neuraxpharm is committed to expanding access to market-leading medicines. Our collaboration with Pendopharm further strengthens our position as a global CNS specialist enabling us to deliver an epilepsy treatment designed to reduce hospitalizations and provide support to patients and their caregivers."
About Pendopharm ®
Pendopharm, specialty division of Pharmascience Inc., is a leading Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company providing patients with innovative medicines that address unmet medical needs. Its areas of focus are gastroenterology, sports medicine & orthopedics, neurology and cardiology. Pendopharm ® has extensive experience and knowledge to successfully manage its growing product portfolio.
For more information, please visit www.pendopharm.com.
For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
© 2025 Pendopharm, division of Pharmascience Inc. All rights reserved.
About Pharmascience Inc.
Pharmascience Inc. is one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in Canada and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Pharmascience delivers high-quality medicines to over 50 countries worldwide. Pharmascience Inc.'s global presence and agile business development model provide healthcare communities around the world with the high-quality Canadian medicines to respond to patients' needs.
About the Neuraxpharm Group
Neuraxpharm is a leading European specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of the central nervous system (CNS), including both psychiatric and neurological disorders. It has a unique understanding of the CNS market built over 40 years.
Neuraxpharm is constantly innovating, with new products and solutions to address unmet patient needs and is expanding its portfolio through its pipeline, partnerships and acquisitions.
The company has c.1,000 employees and develops and commercialises CNS products through a direct presence in more than 20 countries in Europe, two in Latin America, one in the Middle East, one in Australia, and globally via partners in more than 50 countries. Neuraxpharm is backed by funds advised by Permira.
Neuraxpharm manufactures many of its pharmaceutical products at Neuraxpharm Pharmaceuticals (formerly Laboratorios Lesvi) in Spain.
For more information, please visit .
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
6 hours ago
- Global News
Dubai brand chocolate recalled in Canada over salmonella risk
A Dubai brand chocolate product is being recalled in Canada due to potential salmonella contamination. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says the recall was 'triggered by test results' and affects pistachio and knafeh milk chocolate from the brand Dubai. The specific product is the 145-gram size with the UPC 6 11834 51237 1 along the barcode and a code of 225.174. The product was sold both online and in Quebec and is being recalled by Distribution Bonbons JJ Candy. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product, the recall notice states. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy People who believe they became sick from consuming a recalled product should contact a health-care provider. The front of a bar of Dubai brand's pistachio and knafeh chocolate that has been recalled due to salmonella contamination. Canadian Food Inspection Agency Canadians should throw the recalled product out or return it to where they were purchased. Story continues below advertisement The CFIA says it is conducting a food safety investigation, which could lead to the recall of other products. The agency added it's verifying that the industry is removing the recalled product from store shelves. While food contaminated with salmonella may not look or smell spoiled, it can still make you sick. People may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections.
Cision Canada
6 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Nature's Emporium Appoints Steve Hollingsworth as CEO
Joe D'Addario Transitions to Chair of the Board NEWMARKET, ON, Aug. 5, 2025 /CNW/ - Nature's Emporium, a leading Canadian retailer of natural and organic health foods, is proud to announce the appointment of Steve Hollingsworth as the company's new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 11, 2025. Joe D'Addario, who co-founded Nature's Emporium and has served as President and more recently its CEO for over 30 years, will transition into the role of Chair of the Board. In this new position, Joe will continue to provide vision and oversight, supporting the next phase of growth while upholding the company's mission to inspire healthy and sustainable living. "This marks an exciting new chapter for Nature's Emporium. Steve brings an impressive blend of leadership, vision, and purpose that aligns perfectly with who we are and where we're headed. I'm excited about the capabilities he brings to our team. As I step into the role of Chair, I look forward to supporting our long-term growth and helping ensure we continuously elevate the value we deliver to our employees, customers and communities." - Joe D'Addario, Co-Founder & Chair of the Board, Nature's Emporium LP Steve Hollingsworth brings over two decades of experience in health and wellness, most recently as President of Genuine Health. Known for his focus on team culture, innovation and consumer trust, Steve is set to lead Nature's into an exciting new chapter. "It's an honour and a privilege to be entrusted with leading an organization with such deeply rooted ties to the communities it serves as Nature's Emporium. I am genuinely excited to help Nature's push the boundaries on what a health & wellness retailer can do for its customers." - Steve Hollingsworth, Incoming CEO, Nature's Emporium LP This leadership transition reflects Nature's Emporium's continued commitment to operational excellence, community connection, and customer care, while positioning the business for long-term growth in an evolving retail landscape. About Nature's Emporium Nature's Emporium, founded in 1993, believes eating well means living better. With six locations across Ontario (Newmarket, Woodbridge, Maple, Burlington, Toronto and Oakville), it provides high-quality, organic foods and products customers trust. Dedicated to inspiring healthier lifestyles, the company prioritizes education and empowers customers to make informed choices. While growing into new communities, Nature's Emporium remains committed to wellness, exceptional service, and giving back to its communities.
Cision Canada
7 hours ago
- Cision Canada
BC Patient Calls for Equal Access to Life-Changing Treatment as Province Lags Behind Rest of Canada
VANCOUVER, BC, August 5, 2025 /CNW/ - Josephine (Joey) Kerr, a retired British Columbian who once led an active and vibrant life, is now calling on the provincial government to fund a life-changing medication that is available to patients in every other province in Canada—but not in BC. Joey was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) in 2019. Since then, she has undergone more than 85 blood transfusions - procedures that take an entire day and leave her exhausted for nearly half the month. "My life has changed drastically," says Joey. "I used to hike, bike, and swim regularly. Now I'm breathless, fatigued, and often too weak to leave the house." For patients like Joey, Luspatercept offers new hope. The medication significantly reduces the need for blood transfusions in MDS patients and is publicly covered in every other Canadian province. Despite its proven benefits, BC remains the only jurisdiction that has not approved public coverage. "It breaks my heart," says Joey. "I know of a woman in another province that went an entire year without a transfusion because of this medication." Beyond the personal toll, repeated transfusions place a significant strain on the healthcare system, requiring hospital resources, blood products, and specialized staff. "This isn't just about one person—it's about improving system efficiency and equity," says Joey. "I'm not asking for special treatment. I'm asking to be treated the same as other Canadians." MedAccessBC Urges Government to Take Action Joey's story highlights a larger, systemic issue that the Medicines Access Coalition – BC (MedAccessBC) has been working to address for over two decades. MedAccessBC represents over 30 patient care organizations and advocates for fair, timely, and equitable access to medications for British Columbians. "We are deeply concerned that patients in BC continue to face barriers to accessing treatments that are standard care in the rest of Canada," says Don Bindon, Co-Chair and Treasurer of MedAccessBC. "BC residents deserve the same level of care and access as all other Canadians. Luspatercept is a clear example where a delay in public coverage is causing unnecessary suffering." As a non-profit coalition, MedAccessBC continues to collaborate with patient communities, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to ensure that health decisions prioritize outcomes and do not compromise patient well-being in the name of cost containment. Call to Action MedAccessBC is urging the provincial government to approve and fund Luspatercept through the BC PharmaCare program without further delay. Joey Kerr's message to decision-makers is simple: "Help me live the rest of my life with dignity, energy, and independence. Let me have the chance to walk, swim, and maybe even ride my bike again." About Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a group of diseases where bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells. Instead, the bone marrow makes immature blood cells, called blast cells (blasts), that do not work properly. They build up in the bone marrow and the blood and crowd out healthy blood cells. As a result, there are fewer healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In the past, an MDS was classified as a disease that was not likely to develop into cancer, and it was called pre-leukemia. Now that more is known about MDSs, they are considered cancer. Sometimes, they are called bone marrow failure diseases. An MDS will develop into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) about 30% of the time. (Canadian Cancer Society) About the Medicines Access Coalition of BC MedAccess BC advocates for improved access to medications and health technologies for individuals with chronic diseases. Representing over 30 patient organizations, it has been working since 1997 to improve access to evidence-based medicines through BC's PharmaCare program.
