Toronto, Ontario (May 29, 2020) — Verity Pharmaceuticals Inc. is pleased to announce that as of May 29, 2020, Zeulide Depot™ (Leuprolide acetate for depot suspension) has been added as a General Benefit through the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program.

A proven treatment for prostate cancer

“LHRH therapy such as Zeulide Depot™ is a proven option for the treatment of prostate cancer. With ODB coverage, physicians and their patients will have broader access to this new therapeutic option, and the latest in LHRH drug delivery technology.” – Dr. Neil Fleshner, MD, MPH, FRCSC, Verity Chief Medical Officer

An important option for oncologists

“Today marks an important day for those living with prostate cancer in Ontario. ODB coverage will allow these patients to have access to a safe, clinically proven, cost-effective treatment option for a disease that has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men. We commend the Ontario Drug Benefit Program for adding Zeulide Depot™ to the Formulary, and look forward to working collaboratively with the remaining provinces and territories to ensure all patients with prostate cancer have access to Zeulide Depot™.” – Howard Glase, CEO Verity Pharma

About Zeulide Depot™

Zeulide Depot™ (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension) is a Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LHRH) Analog, indicated for the palliative treatment of advanced and/or metastatic prostate cancer.¹ It has been approved for use in Europe for several years and recently received Heath Canada Notice of Compliance for use in this country.

Lowering a patient’s testosterone levels can slow or reverse the progression of prostate cancer. Along with proven efficacy for lowering testosterone to super-castrate levels of ≤1.7 nmol/L, the innovative, patented microsphere technology within Zeulide Depot™ provides a unique solution for the controlled and sustained release of leuprolide acetate. In a recent study, the sustained duration of castration was significantly longer with Zeulide Depot™ compared to a reference leuprolide acetate formulation.*²

About Verity Pharma

Verity Pharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing therapeutically relevant agents to the Canadian healthcare community. Our mission is to provide access to prescription products that are in short supply or have not yet been made available in Canada. Zeulide Depot™ is just one of a number of important Verity products now available in Canada or planned for launch in 2020 and 2021.

* n=4

References:

1. Zeulide Depot™ Product Monograph.
2. Leitner et al., The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a new sustained-release leuprolide acetate depot compared to market references. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 46 – No. 8/2008 (407-414).