Clinton, NJ, February 22, 2011 – Ikaria, Inc. today announced the global launch of its nextgeneration drug-delivery system, the INOMAX DSIR, in neonatal intensive care units, or NICUs, within hospitals throughout Canada.
The INOMAX DSIR is a proprietary drug-delivery system that delivers the drug, INOMAX (nitric oxide) for inhalation, to term and near-term infants with hypoxic respiratory failure. The INOMAX DSIR utilizes infrared technology to expand the informatics connecting the delivery system with the cylinder containing INOMAX therapy, contains multiple back-up warnings and enhanced alarm features to ensure the consistent and reliable delivery and monitoring of INOMAX to patients, and is improved for overall ease of use.
The INOMAX DSIR is an advance over the existing INOMAX DS drug-delivery system and the early-generation INOvent drug-delivery systems. With its improved connectivity, the INOMAX DSIR provides enhanced key features within the independent delivery and monitoring components of the system. Like the INOMAX DS, the INOMAX DSIR is compatible with more than 45 makes of invasive and non-invasive ventilation devices and anesthesia machines to offer flexibility of use with patients at many ventilator settings.
“I’m delighted that we’ve launched the INOMAX DSIR in Canada and that we continue to deliver on our commitment to advance our delivery systems to insure ease of use for clinicians and the safe
and effective delivery of INOMAX to critically ill patients,” said Daniel Tassé, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ikaria.
The INOMAX DS and INOMAX DSIR drug-delivery systems are part of a comprehensive offering known as INOtherapy®. In addition to use of Ikaria’s proprietary, FDA-cleared drug-delivery systems, INOtherapy includes INOMAX (nitric oxide) for inhalation, all related disposable items, distribution, emergency delivery, technical and clinical assistance, quality maintenance, on-site hospital training, and 24/7/365 customer service.
This offering is made available in Canada through Ikaria Canada Inc in Ottawa, Ontario. Ikaria Canada Inc was established in 2008, and provides INOtherapy to 65 hospitals across the provinces. “We’re pleased to offer our customers the latest advancement in our drug-delivery system so that they can continue to provide INOMAX therapy to their most fragile patients,” said Jared Rhines, Vice President and General Manager of Ikaria Canada Inc.
INOMAX® is a vasodilator, which, in conjunction with ventilator support and other appropriate agents, is indicated for the treatment of term and near-term (>34 weeks gestation) neonates with
hypoxic respiratory failure associated with clinical or echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension, where it improves oxygenation and reduces the need for extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation.
INOMAX should not be used in the treatment of neonates known to be dependent on right-to-left shunting of blood. Abrupt discontinuation of INOMAX may lead to a worsening condition. Methemoglobinemia is a dose-dependent side effect of inhaled nitric oxide therapy. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) forms rapidly in gas mixtures containing nitric oxide and oxygen, and therefore may
cause airway inflammation and damage. Methemoglobin, NO2, and FiO2 should be monitored during nitric oxide administration. Please see prescribing information. For additional information about INOMAX, please visit www.inomax.com
Ikaria, Inc. is a biotherapeutics company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics and interventions designed to address the significant unmet needs of critically ill
patients. The company’s lead product is INOtherapy®, an all-inclusive offering of drug product, services and technologies. INOMAX® (nitric oxide) for inhalation, the drug included in the
INOtherapy offering, is the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of hypoxic respiratory failure associated with pulmonary hypertension in term and near-term infants. INOtherapy also is
marketed in Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Japan. Ikaria acquired the North American and Australian rights to LUCASSIN® (terlipressin), a potential treatment for hepatorenal
syndrome Type 1, as well as the exclusive worldwide license to IK-5001, a potential treatment for preventing cardiac remodeling and subsequent congestive heart failure following acute myocardial
infarction. The company also has a number of investigational compounds in development. Ikaria is headquartered in Clinton, NJ, with research facilities in Seattle, WA and Madison, WI, and a
manufacturing facility in Port Allen, LA. Please visit www.ikaria.com
