Orion receives European marketing authorisation for dexdor®

Orion Corporation has received information that the European Commission has granted centralised marketing authorisation for dexdor® (dexmedetomidine) indicated for sedation of adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring a sedation level not deeper than arousal in response to verbal stimulation (corresponding to Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale [RASS] 0 to -3). The authorisation covers all 27 European Union countries.

The active substance of dexdor® is dexmedetomidine, a sedative agent originated by Orion's pharmaceutical R&D. Dexmedetomidine is available with the brand name Precedex® in more than 30 countries outside Europe, including the USA (since 2000) and Japan (since 2004). The distributor for the product outside Europe is Hospira under Orion's license. 

Orion Corporation

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Dr. Liisa Hurme, Senior Vice President, Proprietary Products
tel. +358 50 966 2874

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Orion Corporation
Communications
Orionintie 1A, FI-02200 Espoo
www.orion.fi

Orion is an innovative European R&D-based pharmaceutical and diagnostic company with a special emphasis on developing medicinal treatments and diagnostic tests for global markets. Orion develops, manufactures and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical ingredients and diagnostic tests. Orion's pharmaceutical R&D focuses on the following core therapy areas: central nervous system drugs, cancer and critical care drugs, and Easyhaler® pulmonary drugs.

The Group's net sales in 2010 amounted to EUR 850 million. The Company invested EUR 85 million in research and development. At the end of 2010, the Group had a total of approximately 3,100 employees, of whom 2,450 worked in Finland and 650 in other countries. Orion's A and B shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.