* Co says nod for intravenous version of Brinavess
* Expects to launch drug in EU in Q4
Sept 1 (Reuters) - Merck & Co and Canada's Cardiome Pharma Corp said they have been granted marketing approval for the intravenous formulation of their heart drug Brinavess in the European Union, Iceland and Norway.
Merck and Cardiome are jointly developing the drug, also known as vernakalant, aimed at treating chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) -- a heart rhythm disorder that can lead to stroke and heart failure.
'We look forward to launching Brinavess in the EU beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010,' the companies said in a statement.
Last month Cardiome said the next phase of the clinical program for the oral version of the drug was not expected to commence in the summer of 2010 as previously guided.
The companies, however, gave no reason for the delay.
Cardiome shares, which have shed more than 23 percent of their value in the last one month, closed at C$6.53 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
(Reporting by Ashutosh Joshi in Bangalore; Editing by Roshni Menon) Keywords: CARDIOME/ (ashutosh.joshi@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S. +1 646 223 8780; outside U.S. +91 80 4135 5800; Reuters Messaging: ashutosh.joshi.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
* Expects to launch drug in EU in Q4
Sept 1 (Reuters) - Merck & Co and Canada's Cardiome Pharma Corp said they have been granted marketing approval for the intravenous formulation of their heart drug Brinavess in the European Union, Iceland and Norway.
Merck and Cardiome are jointly developing the drug, also known as vernakalant, aimed at treating chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) -- a heart rhythm disorder that can lead to stroke and heart failure.
'We look forward to launching Brinavess in the EU beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010,' the companies said in a statement.
Last month Cardiome said the next phase of the clinical program for the oral version of the drug was not expected to commence in the summer of 2010 as previously guided.
The companies, however, gave no reason for the delay.
Cardiome shares, which have shed more than 23 percent of their value in the last one month, closed at C$6.53 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
(Reporting by Ashutosh Joshi in Bangalore; Editing by Roshni Menon) Keywords: CARDIOME/ (ashutosh.joshi@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S. +1 646 223 8780; outside U.S. +91 80 4135 5800; Reuters Messaging: ashutosh.joshi.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.