News Briefs

Medicines360 has received the Food and Drug Administration’s blessing to extend the duration of use of Liletta (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 52 mg to prevent pregnancy for up to eight years.

With this FDA approval, Liletta has one of the longest approved durations of use for a hormonal intrauterine device in the United States. 

"As a nonprofit, mission-driven pharmaceutical organization, we are committed to closing critical gaps in women's health care and ensuring that women have access to the medicines and devices they need to live their best and fullest lives," said Tina Raine-Bennett, CEO of Medicines360. "We are proud to study our products in robust clinical trials, like ACCESS IUS, so we can provide quality birth control that works for a broad range of women. The extended duration of use for Liletta continues to provide that women can access a reliable, long-term birth control option that offers greater flexibility and expands choice in their reproductive health decisions."

"Now more than ever, patients need access to safe, long-acting and reversible contraceptive options," said Courtney Schreiber, professor and chief of family planning, department of obstetrics and gynecology at Penn Medicine. "Liletta is the only hormonal IUD approved for 8 years with a single continuous study for the full duration, providing data for patients and clinicians on the outcomes (high efficacy, low rates of adverse events) with long-term continuous use. This approval gives healthcare providers the ability to continue offering women a safe and effective option of pregnancy prevention for a long period of time."

Medicines360 received initial approval of Liletta in February 2015. Since then, Medicines360 has continued to invest in the product, which has led to continued optimization of the single-handed inserter and now, the extended duration of use for up to eight years.

Chips Ahoy! is looking ahead to 2023 and its upcoming 60^th birthday celebration by previewing a brand new launch — Chewy Confetti Cake Cookies.

“We all know that Chips Ahoy! is here for the happy. Now, for its 60th birthday, it’s here for the party!” said Natalie Gadbois, senior brand manager for Chips Ahoy! “Our chewy cookies introduce new tastes, flavors and sensory experiences that we know Gen-Z looks for, while still keeping the same, familiar Chips Ahoy! cookie quality fans of all ages have come to know and love. With colorful rainbow sprinkles mixed in with irresistible confetti cake flavor, Chips Ahoy! Chewy Confetti Cake Flavored Cookies taste great on their own or can be paired with ice cream for one deliciously happy treat!”

Featuring rainbow sprinkles and a confetti cake flavor, Chips Ahoy! Chewy Confetti Cake Cookies will be available in stores nationwide beginning in January for a suggested retail price of $4.99.

Bare Performance Nutrition is embracing the holiday spirit with new flavors of several of its popular products.

New additions include Strawberry Whey Protein, Orange Dreamsicle Peak Sleep and Strawberry Electrolyte Drink Mix.

“The holiday season is filled with overly rich, calorie-laden treats that are great on the surface but leave us feeling tired, unmotivated, and generally not so merry. It was my goal this year to expand fan-favorite offerings by introducing novel flavors that invoke childhood nostalgia but without any guilt,” said Nick Bare, founder of BPN. “There's no doubt these sweet and year-round flavors will provide a refreshing break from yet another year of your great aunt's 'world-famous' fruit cakes.”

The Strawberry Whey Protein Powder contains a blend of 88% whey and 12$ casein protein. The Strawberry Electrolyte Drink Mix works to help support hydration needs, improving performance and reducing fatigue. Lastly, the Orange Dreamsicle Peak Sleep aims to promote rest and recovery, the company said.

Bare Performance Nutrition’s new launches are available for purchase online.

Power Life is debuting a new addition to its performance-enhancing products — Peak Replenish.

Made with electrolytes to help promote increased hydration as well as physical performance so users can fuel energy while nutrients are delivered. It also aids the body to rebuild muscles and reduce post-exercise muscle soreness, the company said.  

Featuring BetaPower derived from beets to help support cellular hydration, it also contains CocOganic Plus from freeze-dried coconut water for its mix of essential electrolytes; GivoMag to supply the body with magnesium; Aquamin to provide calcium and 72 other trace minerals; and essential electrolytes to keep cells hydrated.

Currently, Power Life Peak Replenish is available for purchase online for a suggested retail price of $59.95.

Philadelphia’s signature cream cheese spread is going the plant-based route.

The Chicago-based company recently shared news of its latest innovation — Philadelphia Plant-Based.

“The influx of flexitarian consumers has driven growth within the plant-based market, which is now more than 20 times the size of the vegan population,” said Robert Scott, president of research and development at Kraft Heinz. “As the brand that has set the cream cheese standard for 150 years, we realized the current options weren’t meeting consumer expectations and there was no trusted leader. Philadelphia Plant-Based spread not only provides a solution that mirrors the taste and texture of our iconic Philadelphia brand, but it also reinforces Kraft Heinz’s bet to bring plant-based offerings to the masses.”

Featuring a recipe that mirrors the taste and texture of the iconic cream cheese, this plant-based option is made with simple ingredients, does not contain added flavors or dyes, and is free of dairy, lactose and gluten, the company said.

Currently, Philadelphia Plant-Based is available for purchase at select retailers in the southeast and will expand with additional flavors for a national rollout in the summer of 2023.

Fresenius Kabi is introducing KabiCare Nutrition Resources in the United States as part of its KabiCare patient support program.

The KabiCare Nutrition Resources program provides support for insurance reimbursement questions including a helpline staffed by experts to provide billing and coding support, insurance support such as benefit investigation, prior authorization and claims appeals.

“Navigating the complexity of health insurance to provide access to critical parenteral nutrition products continues to be a challenge for some patients,” said Tom Tsilipetros, senior director, Market Access, at Fresenius Kabi USA. “As a leader in parenteral nutrition, Fresenius Kabi’s goal with the KabiCare Nutrition Resources program in the United States is to help assure patients receive their care and parenteral nutrition products in as timely a manner, and as seamlessly, as possible.”

Fresenius Kabi created KabiCare, a Patient Support Program, to support patient access to products across numerous therapeutic areas. KabiCare provides a patient-centric approach that includes support and resources for eligible patients, caregivers and healthcare providers throughout the treatment journey. For eligible patients, support may include navigating complex insurance processes as well as financial assistance.