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Q BioMed produces cancer bone-pain drug Strontium89 for sale in all 50 states

Published: 09:54 13 Feb 2020 EST

Q BioMed Inc. - Q BioMed Inc now producing doses of cancer bone-pain drug Strontium89 for sale in all 50 states
The drug, which is administered every three months, has been shown to relieve pain in over 70% of patients tested

Q BioMed Inc (OTCMKTS:QBIO) announced Thursday the launch of its non-opioid drug Strontium89 Chloride Sr-89 Injection USP that can help relieve persistent pain caused by cancer that has metastasized to bone. 

In a statement, the company said it has already received US hospital orders and will begin delivering doses this month. Q BioMed’s contract manufacturing facility is producing initial commercial-scale quantities now, with full production expected in March. Under its distribution relationship with Jubilant Radiopharma, Q BioMed said it has the capability to reach patients in all 50 states.  

New York City-based Q BioMed said it plans to launch the drug in global markets, including Europe, in the coming quarters. The company is also planning further research for Strontium89 for potential label extension into therapeutic use for survival benefit in metastatic bone cancer through a Phase IV study.

READ: Q BioMed’s partner Mannin Research developing treatment for deadly coronavirus

“This is a major milestone for Q BioMed. We are now a revenue-generating entity,” said CEO Denis Corin.

“This was a goal we set for ourselves when we founded the company almost 5 years ago. The journey to producing this critically important drug has not been easy, but we are now here. It's a great achievement and a testament to all those who have helped get us to this point. We look forward to being able to help serve the unmet needs of the millions of patients suffering from debilitating bone pain associated with metastatic cancer.”

He added: “Years of well-documented data show that Strontium89 can help alleviate the pain suffered by most patients with painful bone metastases. We believe this drug has a very important role to play as clinicians move toward proven non-opioid therapeutics for pain palliation.”

An estimated 10 million people are living with bone metastases, but due to the opioid crisis, clinicians and patients are looking for pain management alternatives like Strontium89, the company said.  

The drug, which is administered every three months, has been shown to relieve pain in over 70% of patients who received the treatment. Q BioMed said it is hopeful that broad market reacceptance will be swift.

Placebo-controlled trials

In several multicenters, the company noted, placebo-controlled trials in cancer patients with persistent pain after external beam radiation therapy for bone metastases, pain relief occurred in more patients treated with a single injection of Strontium89 than in patients treated with an injection of placebo, with a greater percentage of patients experiencing pain scores of zero, without any need for opioid or non-opioid rescue analgesics. Duration of pain palliation has been shown to range from two to five months in most patients, and Strontium89 can be re-dosed every 90 days.

However, Q BioMed said the use of Strontium-89 Chloride Injection in patients with evidence of seriously compromised bone marrow from previous therapy or disease infiltration is not recommended unless the potential benefit of the treatment outweighs its risks. Bone marrow toxicity is to be expected following the administration of Strontium-89 Chloride Injection, particularly white blood cells and platelets, and the extent of toxicity is variable.

Q BioMed said that orders can be placed by calling Jubilant Radiopharma at (901) 345-3434. Commercial and marketing activities, including conferences and sales, will begin concurrently with commercial availability. Strontium89 is reimbursed by Medicare and most insurance companies.

The company's stock recently traded up 3% to $2.12 a share in New York. 

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham

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