MONTREAL, CANADA and SAN DIEGO, CA - February 22, 2012 ? Paladin Labs Inc. (TSX:PLB) and Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SOMX) today announced that Paladin has filed a New Drug Submission (NDS) that has been accepted for review by Health Canada for Silenor® (doxepin) for the treatment and symptomatic relief of insomnia.
"We are pleased that Health Canada has accepted to review our submission for Canadian regulatory approval for Silenor®," said Mark Beaudet, interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Paladin Labs Inc. "We believe that Silenor® can fill a significant unmet need in the Canadian insomnia market. To date, the Canadian prescription sleep aid market has consisted mainly of zopiclone, an older medication that, despite its limitations, has driven the market to exceed $87 million in 20111, an increase of 10% vs. 2010."
If approved, Silenor® could be the first and only prescription product approved for the treatment of insomnia in Canada that is not a controlled substance.
Paladin received rights to commercialize Silenor® in Canada, South America and Africa from Somaxon in June 2011. Under the collaboration agreements, there is no payment due to Somaxon from Paladin as a result of the NDS filing. Once Silenor® is commercialized in the licensed territories, Somaxon will be eligible to receive sales-based milestone payments of up to US$128.5 million as well as a tiered double-digit percentage of net sales.
About Silenor®Silenor® is a low-dose (3 mg and 6 mg) oral tablet formulation of doxepin. If approved, Silenor® is expected to be the first and only non-controlled prescription sleep medication in Canada indicated for the treatment and symptomatic relief of insomnia characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakening and/or early morning awakenings.
About Paladin Labs Inc.Paladin Labs Inc., headquartered in Montreal, Canada, is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring or in-licensing innovative pharmaceutical products for the Canadian and select international markets. With this strategy, a focused Canadian national sales team and proven marketing expertise, Paladin has evolved into one of Canada's leading specialty pharmaceutical companies. For more information, please visit the Company's web site at www.paladinlabs.com.
About Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company that sells Silenor ® in the United States. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.somaxon.com.
1 IMS Health - moving annual total for the 12 months ended December 31, 2011
Forward Looking Statements Related to PaladinThis press release may contain forward-looking statements and predictions. These forward-looking statements, by their nature, necessarily involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. The Company considers the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based to be reasonable at the time they were prepared, but cautions that these assumptions regarding the future events, many of which are beyond the control of the Company and its subsidiaries, may ultimately prove to be incorrect. Factors and risks, which could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations, are discussed in the annual report as well as in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 20 10. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or future events and except as required by law. For additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements, investors should consult the Company's ongoing quarterly fillings, annual report and Annual Information Form and other fillings found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Forward Looking Statements Related to Somaxon
Somaxon cautions you that statements included in this press
release that are not a description of historical facts are
forward-looking statements. For example, statements regarding
regulatory approval in countries outside the United States
and the achievement of milestone payments are forward looking
statements. The inclusion of forward-looking statements
should not be regarded as a representation by Somaxon that
any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ
materially from those set forth in this release due to the
risks and uncertainties inherent in Somaxon's business,
including, without limitation, the market potential for
insomnia treatments, and Somaxon's and Paladin Labs' ability
to compete within that market; Somaxon's reliance on its
collaboration partner, Paladin Labs, and its adherence to the
terms of its contract; the timing of receipt of regulatory
approval in countries outside of the United States, if at
all; Somaxon's ability to successfully enforce its
intellectual property rights and defend its patents,
including any developments relating to the recent submission
of abbreviated new drug applications for generic versions of
Silenor 3 mg and 6 mg tablets and related patent litigation;
the possible introduction of generic competition of Silenor;
the scope, validity and duration of patent protection and
other intellectual property rights for Silenor; whether the
approved label for Silenor is sufficiently consistent with
such patent protection to provide exclusivity for Silenor;
Somaxon's ability to successfully commercialize Silenor in
the United States; the ability of Somaxon to ensure adequate
and continued supply of Silenor to successfully meet
anticipated market demand; Somaxon's ability to raise su
fficient capital to fund its operations, and the impact of
any such financing activity on the level of its stock price;
the impact of any inability to raise sufficient capital to
fund ongoing operations, including any patent infringement
litigation; Somaxon's ability to operate its business without
infringing the intellectual property rights of others;
inadequate therapeutic efficacy or unexpected adverse side
effects relating to Silenor that could result in recalls or
product liability claims; other difficulties or delays in
development, testing, manufacturing and marketing of Silenor;
the timing and results of post-approval regulatory
requirements for Silenor, and the FDA's agreement with
Somaxon's interpretation of such results and other risks de
tailed in Somaxon's prior press releases and periodic filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their
entirety by this cautionary statement, and Somaxon undertakes
no obligation to revise or update this press release to
reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. This
caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Paladin Labs Inc.Samira Sakhia, CA, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: 514-669-5367
Fax: 514-344-4675
Email: info@paladinlabs.com
Website: www.paladinlabs.com
Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Tran Nguyen
Chief Financial Officer
(858) 876-6500