News Briefs

Earplanes, known best for their use in helping consumers prevent ear pain while traveling, is adding a brand new feature.

Cirrus Healthcare, the parent company of the brand, announced the launch of the EarPlanes+ companion app, which looks to actively monitor cabin pressure with the smartphone’s barometer.

In addition, the app also sends a notification when pressure is rapidly changing on a flight and gives consumers the knowledge to know when they may need ear protection, the company said.

Available for free, the EarPlanes+ app also gives Cirrus the ability to engage with its consumers directly to help generate in-store sales for its retailers, which include CVS Pharmacy, Target and Walgreens.

There’s a new Pop-Tarts flavor in town.

The Battle Creek, Mich.-based company announced the launch of its newest flavor, which is inspired by bakery classics.

Snickerdoodle Pop-Tarts feature a snickerdoodle-flavored filling with crunchy cinnamon sugar topping to create a melt-in-your-mouth moment, the company said.

“We know our fans love a ‘dessert for breakfast’ moment, so Pop-Tarts continues to deliver crazy-good flavors that capitalize on this trend with our pie, donut and cake-themed lineups already on shelves,” David Greci, senior brand manager at Pop-Tarts said. “This spring, we’ll complete the cookie trifecta with this delicious new snickerdoodle flavor. Besides, who needs a cookie jar when you've got a toaster and a box of Pop-Tarts?”

Joining the previously launched chocolate chip and cookies and crème varieties, the snickerdoodle Pop-Tarts will be available for purchase in May in an eight-count box that retails for $3.19 at retailers nationwide.   

 

Padagis is introducing a generic version of Tobradex ophthalmic suspension.

The medication is indicated for steroid-responsive inflammatory ocular conditions for which a corticosteroid is indicated and where superficial bacterial ocular infection or a risk of bacterial ocular infection exists.

Tobradex ophthalmic suspension had a market value of roughly $106 million for the 12 months ending January 2022, according to IQVIA.

"This FDA approval and launch demonstrates our commitment to bringing complex, specialized products to patients and customers nationwide who are in search of high quality, affordable specialized healthcare products. The Padagis team partnered with Rafarm to leverage their unique sterile manufacturing skillset in combination with our regulatory and commercial expertise with the overall goal to deliver this important product to the market," Padagis President and CEO Sharon Kochan said.

Oakrum, in collaboration with ANI, recently introduced a generic version of Recordati Rare Diseases’ Cystadane (betaine anhydrous for oral solution) powder in a 180-gram bottle.

The companies were granted Competitive Generic Therapy of 180 days of exclusivity.

The medication is indicated in children and adults for the treatment of homocystinuria to decrease high homocysteine blood levels. Homocystinuria is a rare genetic disorder in which there is an abnormal accumulation of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood and urine. The following are considered to be homocystinuria disorders:

• Cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency;
• 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency; and
• Cobalamin cofactor metabolism defect.

“This is the third generic orphan drug that we have launched since starting this business, and we remain committed to bringing rare disease patients affordable options of pharmaceutical products that currently have few or no generic options. Oakrum currently has licensing rights to seven additional ANDAs filed with the FDA and expects to file additional generic orphan drugs later this year,” said Marco Polizzi, CEO of Oakrum Pharma.

“Our collaboration with Oakrum furthers ANI’s mission of bringing high-quality prescription pharmaceutical products to patients in need. Rare diseases are often overlooked, and we are especially pleased to continue identifying patient populations that are underserved and medicines that can help them. This approval with Competitive Generic Therapy status and resulting 180 days of exclusivity marks another milestone for ANI’s R&D engine as a leader in bringing limited competition products to market,” said Nikhil Lalwani, CEO of ANI.

Natco Pharma, along with its marketing partner Arrow International, which is an affiliate of Teva, recently launched the first generic of Revlimid (lenalidomide capsules) in dosage strengths of 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 25 mg.

The medication is used in adults for the treatment of multiple myeloma in combination with the medicine dexamethasone; certain myelodysplastic syndromes; and mantle cell lymphoma following specific prior treatment.

Natco and Teva noted that they are launching these strengths of lenalidomide pursuant to a license of patents owned by Celgene, which is now part of Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Alembic is introducing lacosamide tablets in dosage strengths of 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg and 200mg. 

The medication is the generic of UCB's Vimpat tablets.

It is indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients aged one month old and older. 

Alembic's lacosamide tablets are available in 60-count bottles.