The FDA has approved a quick-acting nasal spray for acute treatment of migraine, a drug developed by New Haven-based Biohaven and recently acquired by Pfizer, Pfizer announced last week.
Zavegepant, trademarked as Zavzpret, was approved for adult use after a favorable Phase 3 clinical trial for acute treatment of migraine.
Angela Hwang, chief commercial officer and president of global biopharmaceuticals business at Pfizer, said, “The FDA approval of Zavzpret marks a significant breakthrough for people with migraine who need freedom from pain and prefer alternative options to oral medications.”
The drug is the first nasal spray formulation of a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist drug, a category that includes Biohaven’s blockbuster migraine treatment, Nurtec ODT.
All of the New Haven biotech’s CGRP candidates were sold to Pfizer last May in a deal valued at $11.6 billion.
Nurtec added $211 million to Pfizer’s sales following the acquisition last year, according to industry website Biopharmadive.com. When Zavzpret enters the market, Pfizer expects its two migraine medicines will notch more than $6 billion in combined peak yearly sales, according to the site.
Biohaven CEO Vlad Coric has said the company is reorganizing in New Haven to focus on other drug candidates for neurological ailments like epilepsy, spinal muscular atrophy and pain and mood disorders.
Contact Liese Klein at lklein@newhavenbiz.com.
