Year 2002 and the first quarter of 2003 have seen interesting achievements for Oxaprozin, which, following the first introduction in Italy in 2000, has been launched in further key European countries such as Germany (with two brands, Dayrun® and Danoprox®, respectively marketed by CSC and TRB Chemedica) and Greece (Duraprox® – Gerolymatos) as well as in Chile (Duraprox® – Aventis Pasteur).

This is giving strong boost to the constant development of the drug, which is expected to be launched in the remaining part of 2003 also in Belgium/Luxembourg, Colombia and Chile, with a second marketing authorisation.

At present, intense scouting activities are on-going with the aim of granting a worldwide presence of this valuable product through new launches in additional European, Latin American and Middle/Far East key countries, expected in the next couple of years.

Oxaprozin has been extensively marketed in the United States and Canada while it is now being introduced in the rest of the world under Helsinn’s licence, which acquired the relevant rights from Wyeth-Ayerst, owner of the drug.

It is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug particularly effective in the symptomatic treatment of osteoarticular diseases including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondilitis, muscoloskeletal pain and acute gout. Due to its pharmacokinetic properties, Oxaprozin could be administered once daily and thanks to its positive risk-benefit profile, can be considered the drug of choice in its approved indications and can be safely prescribed to the large majority of patients.