NeurogesX wins FDA approval for new pain patch

Late Monday San Mateo, CA-based NeurogesX announced that the FDA had approved its patch for shingles pain. NeurogesX won European approval for the pain product--Qutenza--back in May but this is the first FDA approval received by the developer. 

The approval marks the start of a new phase of development for NeurogesX. The developer plans to build its own sales force to launch the pain patch in the U.S. while Astellas has the license on the European market. The patch, which contains a prescription strength of capsaicin, is designed to provide pain relief for 12 weeks.

"We are delighted to have received the FDA's approval to provide this novel pain management therapy to the many patients and physicians looking for new ways to manage PHN," CEO Anthony DiTonno said in a press release.  "The approval of Qutenza is a tremendous accomplishment for NeurogesX as it represents the culmination of numerous years of hard work and determination by our entire organization."

- see NeurogesX's release [1]
- read the story [2] from the San Francisco Business Times

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NeurogesX pain patch fails a late-stage trial [4]
NeurogesX reports positive Phase III data [5]