Xechem's Nicosan for sickle cell disease approved by Nigerian regulatory authorities

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., July 5 - Xechem International, Inc. said its subsidiary, Xechem Pharmaceuticals Nigeria, received approval from Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to market and sell Nicosan for the prophylactic management of sickle cell disease.

The approval allows Xechem to complete confirmatory phase 3 clinical trials in Nigeria with no restrictions on the company's ability to market and sell the drug in that country, according to a company news release.

"To bring this drug to market first in Nigeria, a country with by far the largest sickle cell population in the world and whose scientists originally developed the medicine, from historical herbal remedies, is particularly gratifying," chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Ramesh Pandev said in the release.

"For sickle cell sufferers in Nigeria, the wait is over. Soon, we hope that will be the case for other countries of the world."

Clinical trials have confirmed that the large majority of patients taking Nicosan no longer experience sickle cell "crises" while on the medication.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder caused by an abnormality in the hemoglobin molecule resulting in painful, clogged vessels.

Approximately 4 million people in Nigeria are afflicted with sickle cell disease.

Xechem is a development stage biopharmaceutical company located in New Brunswick, N.J.

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