Masters Speciality Pharma announces exclusive UK distribution of SIKLOS® for treatment of Sickle-Cell disease.

Elstree, 18 June 2019 – Masters Speciality Pharma (“Masters”), a UK-headquartered global pharmaceutical company specialising in the global distribution of high-quality, life-changing medicines, today announces it has been appointed to be the exclusive UK distributor of Siklos®, for the treatment of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).  Siklos® (hydroxycarbamide) 100mg and 1000mg will be distributed by Masters to hospitals around the UK.

SCD is a serious, progressively debilitating and life-threatening genetic disease which manifests from birth. It affects the formation of red blood cells, which become unusually shaped and stick inside blood vessels, causing pain and severe anaemia by depriving cells and organs of oxygenated blood.

Siklos® is used to prevent the occurrence of painful vaso-occlusive crises, including acute chest syndrome associated with the disease and often requiring hospitalisation. The active substance, hydroxycarbamide, acts mainly in increasing the production of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) and prevents red blood cells from forming an abnormal shape (sickling).  Via easy to administer 50mg increments, Siklos® offers greater dosage accuracy based on body weight, and is suitable for adults, adolescents and children older than 2 years.

The Siklos® was developed by the independent French pharmaceutical company, Addmedica. Masters also has an exclusive License and Distribution agreement for Siklos® for Brazil. Under the terms of the agreement, Masters will be responsible for the regulatory filing of the product with the Brazilian Health authorities and will be the exclusive distributor in the country.

With a track record spanning over 30 years, Masters specialise in sourcing medicines from the UK, Europe and US to treat oncology, haematology, pain management and rare and orphan diseases.

Commenting on the launch, Dr Zulf Masters OBE, founder and CEO of Masters Speciality Pharma, said: “Sickle Cell Disease affects a large and growing population across the UK and is devastating for both patients and families. There are currently limited treatment options for this genetic disease.  Our mission is to provide lifesaving medicines to patients with orphan and rare diseases, and we are very pleased to be able to bring Siklos® to patients and healthcare professionals in the UK.”