Transdermal Lidocaine System Licensed
By HospiMedica staff writers
Posted on 21 Oct 2002
Exclusive worldwide rights to a transdermal delivery system for providing dermal anesthesia have been granted under a license to B. Braun Medical, Inc. (Bethlehem, PA, USA) by the system's developer, Vyteris, Inc. (Fair Lawn, NJ, USA). Posted on 21 Oct 2002
Under the terms of the agreement, B. Braun will be responsible for all sales, marketing, and distribution of the system, while Vyteris will manufacture and supply the product. B. Braun will make an equity investment in Vyteris and will evaluate its drug delivery technology for other applications.
The transdermal patch system uses iontophoresis to rapidly administer lidocaine medication through the skin via a mild electric current. The system will address adult applications but its major usefulness will be for pediatric applications, where needlestick injections, blood draw procedures, and immunizations are major issues for the clinician, parent, and child. Two clinical studies that compared the system with placebo for use prior to injections or intravenous insertions found that patients treated with the Vyteris system experienced significantly less pain associated with needlestick procedures compared to patients treated with the placebo system.
"B. Braun's leadership in the marketing of patient safety and children's health products will ensure that medical institutions, clinicians, and patients have access to this important pain management technology,” said Vincent De Caprio, Ph.D., president of Vyteris.
Related Links:
B. Braun
Vyteris