BDSI to launch pain treatment associated with cancer

RALEIGH, N.C. A new treatment for treating breakthrough pain associated with cancer will hit the market next week, the drug’s manufacturer has announced.

BioDelivery Sciences International announced Thursday that it and commercial partner Meda Pharmaceuticals would launch Onsolis (fentanyl) next week. The treatment, approved for use in patients 18 and older, delivers the painkiller fentanyl through a film that dissolves in the mouth.

Meda has started a national sales campaign targeting physicians, oncologists and other healthcare professionals.

“Today is a banner day for BDSI and serves as validation of our business model and ability to bring important new therapeutics to market,” BDSI president and CEO Mark Sirgo said in a statement. “All of us at BDSI, along with our partner, Meda, are very excited to provide healthcare practitioners and their patients suffering from breakthrough cancer pain with a new treatment option for this serious and debilitating condition.”