NovaDel is targeting Tizanidine Oral Spray as potential treatment for spasticity.  The drug, currently only available as an oral tablet and capsule, works by blocking nerve impulses through pre-synaptic inhibition of motor neurons, resulting in decreased spasticity without reduction in muscle strength.  As patients suffering from spasticity often have an impaired ability to swallow, an oral spray formulation could provide significant benefit.

About Spasticity

Spasticity is not a disease, but rather a symptom of various neurological disorders, including, but not limited to, multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke and cerebral palsy.  These disorders cause a change in the balance of signals between the central nervous system and the muscles, which leads to involuntary tensing, stiffening and contracting of muscles. Spasticity affects an estimated 500,000 people in the U.S. alone, and more than 12 million people worldwide.  Stroke afflicts almost 2,000 out of every 1 million people per year worldwide and almost 40% of stroke victims continue to have spasticity one year later.  Of multiple sclerosis patients, more than 85% have at least mild spasticity, and at least 30% are forced to frequently modify their activities due to spasticity.  

The United States prescription market for treatments for neuromuscular spasm and spasticity has been estimated to be approximately $1.6 billion despite being dominated by generic products.  

Imitrex®, Zofran® and Requip® are registered trademarks of GlaxoSmithKline. Ambien® is a registered trademark of Sanofi-Aventis. Zanaflex® is a registered trademark of Acordia Therapeutics Inc. ZolpiMist™ and NitroMist™ are trademarks of NovaDel Pharma, Inc. Zensana™ is a pending trademark of Hana Biosciences.