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Title: Modafinil Available In Switzerland for Treatment of Narcolepsy
URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1E1B86.htm
Doctor's Guide
September 20, 2000


WEST CHESTER, PA -- September 20, 2000 -- Cephalon, Inc. announced that it has launched modafinil in Switzerland for the treatment of narcolepsy.

Modafinil, which is being promoted by Cephalon in Switzerland under the trade name Modasomil®, is a novel, wake-promoting drug for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) associated with narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder of unknown origin and generally begins in young adulthood. The most common symptom of narcolepsy is EDS, which is characterized by frequent irresistible sleep attacks that can last from a few seconds to more than an hour. These attacks can take place any time, such as during conversation, while attending class or while eating. As a result, narcolepsy significantly impacts a person's quality of life.

"Swiss neurologists and sleep doctors now have the opportunity to offer their narcolepsy patients a novel, once-a-day, well-tolerated, effective alternative to the stimulants that have traditionally been used to treat this disabling disorder, " said Frank Baldino, Jr., Ph.D., Cephalon's chairman and chief executive officer. "With this launch, modafinil is now available in each of the five European countries in which we have rights to market the drug."

Modafinil is a novel, wakefulness-promoting agent. In clinical trials, modafinil was found to significantly improve daytime wakefulness. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in the severity of their disease symptoms and clinical condition. Modafinil has been found to be generally well-tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse events that is relatively comparable to placebo. The most commonly observed adverse events associated with modafinil are headache, infection, nausea, nervousness, anxiety and insomnia.

Modafinil is marketed by Cephalon in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Italy under the brand name Provigil® (modafinil) Tablets [C-IV] and in Austria and Switzerland under the brand name Modasomil. In Switzerland, Mepha AG is the marketing authorization holder for modafinil. In addition, Cephalon has exclusive marketing rights to Provigil in Japan, Latin America, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Related Links: Provigil (modafinil) and Cephalon, Inc.

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