EC approves injectable drug using Elan’s NanoCrystal technology

The European Commission has approved Xeplion, the first injectable product using Ireland-based pharmaceutical firm Elan Drug Technologies’ NanoCrystal technology.

Xeplion is Janssen-Cilag International’s long-acting injectable treatment for patients with schizophrenia.

EDT’s NanoCrystal technology enables the formulation of poorly water-soluble compounds for all routes of administration. It allows for a ready-to-use, one-month duration, intramuscular injection formulation of paliperidone palmitate, which can be administered by healthcare professionals using a small-bore needle and small-volume syringe, thereby negating the need for a power injector.

Xeplion is the fourth licensed product using Elan’s NanoCrystal technology to be approved by the EMA.

To date, more than 40 products have been developed using EDT’s technologies and are used by millions of patients each day.