Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a new action date under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act for the review of the New Drug Application (NDA) for Exalgo (hydromorphone HCl extended-release) Tablets (CII), (Exalgo) of February 22, 2010.

Neuromed Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Covidien recently provided the US FDA with supplemental information, which the agency determined to be a major amendment to the NDA. As a result, the US FDA has extended its action date by three months to allow more time to review the application.

The proposed indication for Exalgo is once daily administration for the management of moderate to severe pain in opioid tolerant patients requiring continuous, around-the-clock opioid analgesia for an extended period of time.

Covidien is the largest supplier of controlled pain medications in the United States, based on number of prescriptions. Neuromed is working to develop new and improved pain medicines.

"We are committed to providing patients with advanced pain medications and are optimistic that Exalgo will be approved," said Timothy R Wright, president, Pharmaceuticals, Covidien. "We will continue working with Neuromed and the Agency on securing approval for Exalgo."

The US rights to Exalgo were acquired from Neuromed by Mallinckrodt Inc, a Covidien company, in June 2009. Under the agreement, Covidien is responsible for all commercialization activities for Exalgo in the US, including marketing, sales and all post-approval US FDA regulatory filings. Neuromed will continue to work with Covidien to complete the clinical development and regulatory approval process.

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence.