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Mallinckrodt Receives Patent from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

U.S. Patent covers the release profile of MNK-155 (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) Extended-Release Tablets (CII)

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 6, 2014-- Mallinckrodt plc (NYSE: MNK) today announced that on July 29, 2014 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted the company a new patent related to MNK-155. The patent, U.S. Patent Number 8,790,694 contains composition claims directed to unique design, formulation, pharmacokinetic, and release characteristics of MNK-155 and conveys the same period of exclusivity as did the patent granted in 2013 for the company’s product XARTEMIS™ XR (oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen) Extended-Release Tablets (CII).

MNK-155 is Mallinckrodt’s investigational extended-release oral formulation of hydrocodone and acetaminophen studied for the management of moderate to moderately severe acute pain where the use of an opioid analgesic is appropriate. The release profile of MNK-155 combines Mallinckrodt-proprietary technology and Depomed’s advanced Acuform® drug delivery technology.

“With the extended period of exclusivity, we expect MNK-155, like XARTEMIS XR, to be a durable asset and contributor to our growing portfolio of brands over the long term,” said Mark Trudeau, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mallinckrodt. “Receipt of this new patent, which includes the product’s release profile, underscores our ability to effectively maximize our partnerships and core formulation capabilities.”

Acuform® is a registered trademark of Depomed.

XARTEMIS XR (oxycodone HCl and acetaminophen) Extended-Release Tablets (CII)

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

XARTEMIS XR is indicated for the management of acute pain severe enough to require opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, misuse, overdose, and death with opioids, even at recommended doses, reserve XARTEMIS XR for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options (e.g., non-opioid analgesics) are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate.

IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION

 

WARNING

ADDICTION, ABUSE, AND MISUSE; LIFE-THREATENING RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION; ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE; NEONATAL OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME; and HEPATOTOXICITY

 

Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse

 

XARTEMIS XR exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing XARTEMIS XR, and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors or conditions.

 

Life-threatening Respiratory Depression

 

Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of XARTEMIS XR. Monitor for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of XARTEMIS XR or following a dose increase. Instruct patients to swallow XARTEMIS XR tablets whole; crushing, chewing, or dissolving XARTEMIS XR can cause rapid release and absorption of a potentially fatal dose of oxycodone.

 

Accidental Exposure

 

Accidental ingestion of XARTEMIS XR, especially in children, can result in a fatal overdose of oxycodone.

 

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome

 

Prolonged use of XARTEMIS XR during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and requires management according to protocols developed by neonatology experts. If opioid use is required for a prolonged period in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available.

 

Hepatotoxicity

 

XARTEMIS XR contains acetaminophen. Acetaminophen has been associated with cases of acute liver failure, at times resulting in liver transplant and death. Most of the cases of liver injury are associated with the use of acetaminophen at doses that exceed the maximum daily limit, and often involve more than one acetaminophen-containing product.

 
 

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • XARTEMIS XR is contraindicated in patients with:
    • known hypersensitivity to oxycodone, acetaminophen, or any other component of this product.
    • significant respiratory depression.
    • acute or severe bronchial asthma or hypercarbia.
    • known or suspected paralytic ileus.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • XARTEMIS XR contains oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. As an opioid, XARTEMIS XR exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse. Abuse or misuse of XARTEMIS XR by crushing, chewing, snorting, or injecting the dissolved product will result in the uncontrolled delivery of the oxycodone and can result in overdose and death. With intravenous abuse, the inactive ingredients in XARTEMIS XR can result in death, local tissue necrosis, infection, pulmonary granulomas, and increased risk of endocarditis and valvular heart injury. Parenteral drug abuse is commonly associated with transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.
  • Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression has been reported with the use of opioids, even when used as recommended. While serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression can occur at any time during the use of XARTEMIS XR, the risk is greatest during the initiation of therapy or following a dose increase. Life-threatening respiratory depression is more likely to occur in elderly, cachectic, or debilitated patients as they may have altered pharmacokinetics or altered clearance compared to younger, healthier patients. In patients with significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, and patients having a substantially decreased respiratory reserve, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or preexisting respiratory depression, XARTEMIS XR may decrease respiratory drive to the point of apnea.
  • Hypotension, profound sedation, coma, respiratory depression, and death may result if XARTEMIS XR is used concomitantly with alcohol or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants.
  • The risk of acute liver failure is higher in individuals with underlying liver disease and in individuals who ingest alcohol while taking acetaminophen.
  • Rarely, acetaminophen may cause serious skin reactions such as acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can be fatal.
  • The respiratory depressant effects of narcotics and their capacity to elevate cerebrospinal fluid pressure may be markedly exaggerated in the presence of head injury, other intracranial lesions, or a pre-existing increase in intracranial pressure.
  • Oxycodone may cause severe hypotension particularly in individuals whose ability to maintain blood pressure has been compromised by a depleted blood volume, or after concurrent administration with drugs which compromise vasomotor tone such as phenothiazines.
  • Due to the potential for acetaminophen hepatotoxicity at doses higher than 4000 milligrams/day, XARTEMIS XR should not be used concomitantly with other acetaminophen-containing products.
  • Hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis associated with use of acetaminophen have been reported. Clinical signs included swelling of the face, mouth, and throat, respiratory distress, urticaria, rash, pruritus, and vomiting.
  • Due to characteristics of the formulation that cause the tablets to swell and become sticky when wet, consider use of an alternative analgesic in patients who have difficulty swallowing and patients at risk for underlying GI disorders resulting in a small gastrointestinal lumen. Instruct patients not to pre-soak, lick or otherwise wet XARTEMIS XR tablets prior to placing in the mouth, and to take one tablet at a time with enough water to ensure complete swallowing immediately after placing in mouth.
  • Opioids diminish propulsive peristaltic waves in the gastrointestinal tract and decrease bowel motility. Oxycodone may cause spasm of the Sphincter of Oddi and should be used with caution in patients with biliary tract disease, including acute pancreatitis.
  • Since the CYP3A4 isoenzyme plays a major role in the metabolism of XARTEMIS XR, drugs that alter CYP3A4 activity may cause changes in clearance of oxycodone which could lead to changes in oxycodone plasma concentrations.
  • XARTEMIS XR may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery. The patient using this drug should be cautioned accordingly.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • Serious adverse events may include respiratory depression and hepatotoxicity.
  • Common adverse events include nausea, dizziness, headache, vomiting, constipation and somnolence.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

  • Pregnancy: Opioids cross the placenta and may produce respiratory depression and psycho-physiologic effects in neonates. Prolonged use of XARTEMIS XR during pregnancy can result in withdrawal signs in the neonate, which can be life threatening.
  • Breast feeding: Oxycodone is present in human milk and may result in accumulation and toxicities such as sedation and respiratory depression in some infants. Acetaminophen is present in human milk in small quantities.
  • Pediatrics: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients under the age of 18 years have not been established.

See Full Prescribing Information for additional Important Risk Information including boxed warning.

About XARTEMIS XR

XARTEMIS XR is an extended-release oral formulation of oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen with immediate-release and extended-release components. It is not interchangeable with other oxycodone/acetaminophen products because of differing pharmacokinetic profiles that affect the frequency of administration. XARTEMIS XR is a schedule II controlled substance.

About Mallinckrodt

Mallinckrodt is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medical imaging business that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes specialty pharmaceutical products and medical imaging agents. The company's core strengths include the acquisition and management of highly regulated raw materials; deep regulatory expertise; and specialized chemistry, formulation and manufacturing capabilities. The company's Specialty Pharmaceuticals segment includes branded and specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients, and the Global Medical Imaging segment includes contrast media and nuclear imaging agents. Mallinckrodt has approximately 5,500 employees worldwide and a commercial presence in roughly 65 countries. The company's fiscal 2013 revenue totaled $2.2 billion. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com.

Cautionary Statements Related to Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this document that are not strictly historical, including statements regarding the proposed acquisition, the expected timetable for completing the Questcor transaction, future financial and operating results, benefits and synergies of the transaction, future opportunities for the combined businesses and any other statements regarding events or developments that we believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future, may be "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks and uncertainties related to, among other things: general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which Mallinckrodt and Questcor operate; the commercial success of Mallinckrodt's and Questcor's products, including H.P. Acthar® Gel; Mallinckrodt's and Questcor's ability to protect intellectual property rights; the parties' ability to satisfy the merger agreement conditions and consummate the merger on the anticipated timeline or at all; the availability of financing, including the financing contemplated by the debt commitment letter, on anticipated terms or at all; Mallinckrodt's ability to successfully integrate Questcor's operations and employees with Mallinckrodt's existing business; the ability to realize anticipated growth, synergies and cost savings; Questcor's performance and maintenance of important business relationships; the lack of patent protection for Acthar, and the possible United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approval and market introduction of additional competitive products; Questcor's reliance on Acthar for substantially all of its net sales and profits; Questcor's ability to continue to generate revenue from sales of Acthar to treat on-label indications associated with nephrotic syndrome, multiple sclerosis, infantile spasms or rheumatology-related conditions, and Questcor's ability to develop other therapeutic uses for Acthar; volatility in Questcor's Acthar shipments, estimated channel inventory, and end-user demand; an increase in the proportion of Questcor's Acthar unit sales comprised of Medicaid-eligible patients and government entities; Questcor's research and development risks, including risks associated with Questcor's work in the areas of nephrotic syndrome and lupus, and Questcor's efforts to develop and obtain FDA approval of Synacthen Depot; Mallinckrodt's ability to receive procurement and production quotas granted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Mallinckrodt's ability to obtain and/or timely transport molybdenum-99 to its technetium-99m generator production facilities; customer concentration; cost-containment efforts of customers, purchasing groups, third-party payors and governmental organizations; Mallinckrodt's ability to successfully develop or commercialize new products; competition; Mallinckrodt's ability to achieve anticipated benefits of price increases; Mallinckrodt's ability to integrate acquisitions of technology, products and businesses generally; product liability losses and other litigation liability; the reimbursement practices of a small number of large public or private issuers; complex reporting and payment obligations under healthcare rebate programs; changes in laws and regulations; conducting business internationally; foreign exchange rates; material health, safety and environmental liabilities; litigation and violations; information technology infrastructure; and restructuring activities. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in (i) Mallinckrodt's SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2013, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended December 27, 2013 and March 28, 2014; (ii) the SEC filings of Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which was acquired by Mallinckrodt on March 19, 2014, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013; and (iii) Questcor's SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (and the amendment thereto on Form 10-K/A), its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, and its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 10, 2014. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and none of Mallinckrodt, Questcor or any of their respective affiliates assumes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

Source: Mallinckrodt plc

Mallinckrodt plc
Lynn Phillips, 314-654-3263
Manager, Media Relations
lynn.phillips@mallinckrodt.com
or
Meredith Fischer, 314-654-3318
Senior Vice President, Communications
meredith.fischer@mallinckrodt.com
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John Moten, 314-654-6650
Vice President, Investor Relations
john.moten@mallinckrodt.com