Sirion Therapeutics Announces Availability of Zirgan(TM) (ganciclovir ophthalmic gel) 0.15% for Ocular Herpes

TAMPA, Fla., April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Sirion Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company, announced today that Zirgan™ (ganciclovir ophthalmic gel) 0.15% is now commercially available.  Zirgan™, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September 2009, is a topical ophthalmic antiviral indicated for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers).  

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100426/FL92821LOGO )

"Sirion began shipping Zirgan™ to drug distributors and retail chains today," said Barry Butler, of Sirion Therapeutics, Inc. "Healthcare professionals can begin prescribing Zirgan™ and pharmacies should be able to fill the prescription immediately or within 24 hours if the pharmacy has to order it from their drug distributor.  We have received an overwhelming number of inquiries regarding Zirgan™ and its availability and are proud to be providing eye care professionals with the first innovation in ocular antiviral therapy in the US in over 30 years."

Zirgan™ is a topical ophthalmic gel formulation that appears clear and colorless and is supplied in a 5 gram polycoated aluminum tube with a white polyethylene tip and cap and protective band (NDC 42826-605-50).  For additional product information, please visit our website at www.siriontherapeutics.com or call our customer support number (1-866-4SIRION).  For sample requests please call 1-888-387-0853.

About Herpetic Keratitis

Herpetic Keratitis is the number one infectious cause of corneal blindness in the U.S.  Herpes simplex virus infections are very common, with nearly 60% of the US population showing evidence of infection by age five. Approximately 1% of infected patients develop ocular outbreaks, with 20,000 primary cases of ocular herpes diagnosed in the US each year. After the primary infection, ocular HSV typically becomes latent until triggers such as stress, UV radiation, and hormonal changes reactivate the virus and cause recurrent outbreaks. Those recurrences account for an additional 28,000 cases per year in the US. The risk of blindness increases with the number and severity of recurrences, making prompt treatment imperative to limit corneal scarring and other more serious ocular complications caused by herpetic ulcers.

About Zirgan™ (ganciclovir ophthalmic gel) 0.15%

Zirgan™ (ganciclovir ophthalmic gel) 0.15% is indicated for topical ophthalmic use as a treatment for acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic corneal ulcers).  Zirgan™ is an innovative topical antiviral therapy designed to specifically target herpes virus infected cells.  Zirgan™ has been a leading treatment for corneal ulcers, under the brand name Virgan®, in Europe for more than 10 years.  

The recommended dosing for Zirgan™ is one drop five times per day until the ulcer heals, and then one drop three times per day for seven days.  Zirgan™ is indicated for topical ophthalmic use only.  Patients should not wear contact lenses if they have signs or symptoms of herpetic keratitis or during the course of therapy with Zirgan™. The most common adverse reactions reported in patients were blurred vision (60%), eye irritation (20%), punctate keratitis (5%), and conjunctival hyperemia (5%).

About Sirion Therapeutics, Inc.

Sirion Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company located in Tampa, Florida.   For more information, please visit www.siriontherapeutics.com.

SOURCE Sirion Therapeutics, Inc.