Horizon Pharma U.K approval to market Duexis

Deerfield-based Horizon Pharma Inc. has received marketing authorization for the rheumatoid arthritis drug Duexis from the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

“We are pleased that the U.K. health authority has granted marketing authorization, which we believe further validates Duexis as an important treatment option for patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis,” said Todd N. Smith, executive vice president, chief commercial officer, Horizon Pharma.

“We are seeking a potential commercial partner or partners for Duexis in the UK and the rest of Europe. However, given the current state of the arthritis market in Europe and the revenue being generated there by existing branded NSAIDs, we expect the U.S. market, where Duexis continues to gain traction, to continue to represent the most significant opportunity for Horizon,” he added

Duexis is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and to decrease the risk of developing upper gastrointestinal ulcers in patients who are taking ibuprofen for those indications.