One potential benefit of OMNARIS HFA and its differentiated delivery system is that the product may be able to reduce post-nasal drip and back-of-the-throat run-off that is commonly associated with currently available intranasal aqueous-based corticosteroids for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The Allergies in America Survey, published in 2006, reports that approximately 33% of survey participants find "dripping down the throat" to be a moderately or extremely bothersome aspect of intranasal steroid products, and approximately 25% of survey participants have discontinued use of a nasal allergy prescription due to bothersome side effects. In contrast, the innovative nasal HFA device is designed to deliver a fine, dry mist of OMNARIS HFA medication to a patient's nose.

Ciclesonide is the active ingredient in OMNARIS HFA. Intranasal corticosteroids are well accepted as first-line therapy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. OMNARIS HFA is being developed by Sepracor for commercialization in the U.S. under an exclusive distribution agreement with Nycomed.

"This is the second large-scale Phase III study Sepracor has completed and we are, once again, encouraged by the preliminary positive results we have received," said Antony Loebel, M.D., Executive Vice President, Clinical Research and Medical Affairs at Sepracor. "OMNARIS in an HFA formulation has meaningful potential to provide physicians with a new method to treat patients suffering from nasal allergies. In addition to its efficacy, OMNARIS HFA offers the benefits of a unique delivery system that may help physicians improve patient comfort and compliance."

SOURCE Sepracor Inc.