Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Zogenix Fighting Massachusetts Ban In Court

San Diego-based biopharmaceuticals developer Zogenix is facing an unusual problem in getting its products to market: the state of Massachusetts has banned the company's lead product, Zohydro ER, from sale in the state, even before they have been released. Zogenix has developed an extended release version of the painkiller hydrocodone, aimed at treating severe pain. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick banned Zohydro in the state, because of its big problems with opiate abuse. Zohydro sued the state in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts on Monday saying that the state has no right to regulate its product, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Massachusetts is concerned about the potential for abuse and overdoses due to the much higher potency of Zohydro.

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