Ban of CFC-propelled asthma inhalers goes into effect today Jan 1, 2009
"The reason: While generic forms of the old-style albuterol inhalers were available, there are only brand-name versions of the so-called HFA inhalers.Asthma sufferers who pay for medicine out of their own pockets can expect the price to climb from roughly $20 for a generic inhaler two years ago, to about $45 now for the HFA inhalers, said Craig Nicholson, a pharmacist at Park Place Pharmacy in Fort Worth.The traditional inhalers depend on chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, to propel a drug called... (Fort Worth Star Telegram)
Asthma inhalers to go 'green' on Dec. 31 Dec 2, 2008
Also, Sepracor's Xopenex HFA contains the similar medication levalbuterol. Albuterol inhalers are for emergencies, for quick relief of wheezing. (MSNBC -- Health)
Sepracor profit badly misses views, shares slump Jul 30, 2008
Combined sales of its Xopenex asthma drugs fell 14 percent to $99 ... Xopenex sales have been hurt by lower reimbursement rates from the U.S. Medicare health program ... The downside was primarily driven by revenues, principally Xopenex franchise sales, Goldman Sachs analyst James Kelly said in a research note. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Ozone-Depleting Inhalers Being Phased Out Jun 3, 2008
Also, an HFA-propelled inhaler containing levalbuterol, a medicine similar to albuterol, is available as Xopenex HFA Inhalation Aerosol, the agency said. Dr. Ira Finegold, chief of the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City, doesn't see much difference in the effectiveness of the two types of inhalers. (MEDLINEplus)
FDA: Time for asthma patients to switch inhalers May 31, 2008
CFC-free albuterol inhaler options include GlaxoSmithKline's Ventolin HFA, Schering Plough's Proventil HFA and Teva Specialty Pharmaceuticals' ProAir HFA. Sepracor's Xopenex HFA is also CFC-free, but it contains levalbuterol, a similar medication. The FDA said Armstrong Pharmaceuticals is the sole remaining maker of CFC inhalers and is expected to stop production even before the deadline. (Yahoo News)
U.S. alerts asthma patients about inhaler switch May 31, 2008
Sepracor Inc's Xopenex HFA is another option, the FDA said. It contains a similar medicine, levalbuterol. (Scientific American)
Mass. unemployment rate falls, despite job losses May 16, 2008
The Marlborough drug maker is best known for its Lunesta sleep aid and Xopenex asthma drug. (Todd Wallack). (Boston Globe)
Rough Transition to a New Asthma Inhaler May 15, 2008
The four HFA inhalers are Ventolin by GlaxoSmithKline, ProAir by Teva, Proventil by Schering-Plough and Xopenex by Sepracor. (Xopenex uses a different chemical, levalbuterol. (New York Times)
It's a gusher for Exxon Mobil May 2, 2008
Separately, Sepracor said it settled a patent dispute with Arrow Group's Breath Ltd. unit, involving Sepracor's Xopenex inhalation treatment for asthma. The agreement allows Breath to launch generic versions of certain Xopenex dosages under an exclusive license beginning on Aug. 20, 2012. (Boston Globe)
Lunesta sales rouse Sepracor shares Oct 31, 2007
9 million, while inhaled Xopenex fell 25 percent to $94. 4 million after Medicaid, the US health program for the elderly, lowered the drug's reimbursement rates. (Boston Globe)
Drug maker Sepracor Inc. to expand its Marlborough headquarters Sep 20, 2007
The company's stock has fallen 52 percent this year as revenue has fallen short of expectations for its two key drugs, Lunesta and its Xopenex asthma treatment. Starting in July, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services refused to reimburse certain customers for the additional price of Xopenex over competing drugs, reducing orders for Xopenex. (Boston Globe)
Sepracor, GSK Enter $155M Deal Covering Global Lunesta Rights Sep 12, 2007
The respiratory franchise at Sepracor is led by Xopenex inhalation solution, a short-acting beta-agonist for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease. Its revenues for the second quarter were $104. (BioWorld Online)
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Sepracor results miss; stock plunges Jul 28, 2007
Sales of respiratory drug Xopenex inhaled solution fell to $104 ... As of July 1, Medicare, the U.S. government health plan for the elderly, cut reimbursement levels for Xopenex after the Centers for Medicare aid Services applied the same reimbursement code to Xopenex and to generic albuterol, the active ingredient in Xopenex ... "The outlook for Lunesta is difficult, the outlook for Xopenex is difficult, and they don't have much in their pipeline," Sanderson said. (ABC News -- Wire)
Sepracor 2nd-qtr results miss Jul 28, 2007
Last month Medicare, the U.S. government health plan for the elderly, cut reimbursement levels on Sepracor's asthma drug Xopenex, with the cut going into effect July 1. Under the plan, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is applying the same reimbursement code to Xopenex, which is an altered form of albuterol, as cheaper, generic albuterol ... Sales from Xopenex inhaled solution fell to $104. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Several bids offered for purchase of 30 Winter St. Jul 14, 2007
subsidiary sued for patent infringement , a Marlborough drug maker, sued a unit of Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. alleging infringement of five patents for Xopenex, a medicine used for inhalation therapy by asthma patients. Sepracor contends in the federal complaint filed in Delaware that Barr Laboratories plans to market a generic version of Xopenex in violation of patents awarded since 1994. (Boston Globe)
Environmentally friendly inhalers here May 22, 2007
UnitedHealthCare, which purchased John Deere Health Care last year, began offering Xopenex inhalers for 5 to 10 last month. Pharmacists said some people have been reluctant to make the switch because the new inhalers taste different and push a warmer and weaker stream of air into the lungs. (Waterloo Courier, IO)
Drugstores face scrutiny in race for clinics May 21, 2007
Estes, who was fatigued with congestion, was relieved that she could be helped by the asthma medication Xopenex, a common medicine prescribed to open airways. Her prescription was filled within minutes. (Chicago Tribune)
Medicare Cuts Price on Asthma Drug May 19, 2007
With Medicare planning to cut reimbursement levels for Sepracor s asthma drug, Xopenex, to the price of generic asthma drugs, Wall Street investors were left catching their breath as shares tumbled $5 ... Xopenex is currently priced at about $1 ... While studies have shown that patients taking Xopenex have left the hospital more quickly, LeCroy says there has been no data suggesting Xopenex is any more effective for home use than generics. (Forbes -- Markets)
Boston Properties net income soars Apr 25, 2007
Xopenex, the asthma drug, generated $173 million in sales, up 24 percent from a year earlier ... A reduction for Lunesta makes Sepracor more dependent on Xopenex, and government insurance payments for the nebulizer form of the drug may be reduced, said Cowen. (Boston Globe)
Welch: Times Co. had no interest in selling Globe Apr 13, 2007
Sepracor's Xopenex, one of four CFC-free inhalers, will cost as little as $5 for UnitedHealth patients. Xopenex generated $41 million last year, and Sepracor estimates it will earn $105 million this year. (Boston Globe)
High hopes, steep fall Mar 27, 2007
Its Xopenex asthma drug generated sales roughly equal to Lunesta revenue last year, and other products are under development. But Lunesta was the investment story that really got Sepracor stock up off the mat in fall 2002. (Boston Globe)
German firm's unit sues Sepracor over drug patent Mar 27, 2007
Marlborough-based Sepracor, maker of the Lunesta sleeping pill and Xopenex asthma treatment, plans to begin selling Brovana in the second quarter, according to the company's website. Dey says Brovana infringes its patent for a spray to open bronchial passages. (Boston Globe)
Nurses at Tufts-NEMC ratify two-year contract Feb 3, 2007
Separately, the advocacy group Public Citizen said Sepracor's Xopenex asthma inhalers should not be used as there is no "compelling evidence" they work better than older, much cheaper products. (Wire services). (Boston Globe)
Google easily beats analysts' forecasts Feb 1, 2007
Cowen & Co. analyst Ian Sanderson used the opportunity to downgrade the company to "underperform," stating that sluggish sales of the sleep aid Lunesta were hidden by lower marketing costs and a boost in sales of Xopenex asthma medication sales. (AP). (Boston Globe -- Business)
