Teva, Syqe Medical sign deal to distribute Medical Marijuana Inhaler in Israel

Posted by Sagar Satapathy on November 30, 2016.

Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Tel Aviv-based Syqe Medical Ltd. have signed a distribution and cooperation agreement to market medical marijuana inhaler for pain management in the country, according to a joint statement announced on Monday.

Under the agreement, Teva, the world’s largest generic medicines producer, will be the inhaler’s exclusive marketer and distributor of an inhaler in the country while the device for the delivery of medical marijuana will be developed and manufactured by Syqe Medical.

In Israel, pain relief from medical marijuana has been delivered via edibles containing the plant; inhaling smoke; or through commercial inhalers until now. However, inhalation is considered the most efficient way of administering medical marijuana for pain relief.

 “Teva Israel is entering the field of medical marijuana out of a deep commitment to patients coping with pain, which is one of the company’s core therapeutic areas,” said Teva CEO Avinoam Sapir, who also serves as the company’s director for Africa and the Middle East.

“State-of-the-art technology and groundbreaking medical devices such as those developed by Syqe Medical, and which generate tremendous therapeutic value for patients and medical staff alike integrate perfectly into the strategy of Teva Israel”, he added.

The medical marijuana inhaler is designed to treat pain without getting patients high. The pocket-sized product will be available for home use next year to individuals approved by the Israeli Health Ministry. Nurses will provide training for both patients and medical professionals.

The device will be marketed for Israel’s growing medical marijuana industry. Around 26,000 patients in the country are currently licensed to use medical marijuana, with that number expected to double by 2018, according to data provided by the companies.

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