Orexo announces that Abstral is ready for launch in France

Orexo announces that Abstral is ready for launch in France

Uppsala, Sweden, 30th June, 2009 - Orexo (STO: ORX) announces that ProStrakan
Group plc (LSE: PSK) Orexo's partner for Abstral in Europe and North America,
today confirms that it has completed the reimbursement pricing process with the
French authorities for its pan-European breakthrough cancer pain product,
Abstral, earlier than expected and, as a result, plans to launch this product in
the important French market next month.

Abstral is a new formulation of fentanyl, a long-established opioid, used for
the management of episodes of breakthrough pain experienced by cancer patients
who are already receiving opioid analgesics for their chronic pain. In June 2008
the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European
Medicines Agency (EMEA) issued a positive opinion recommending approval of
Abstral across the European Union.  

Abstral will be marketed in France through ProStrakan's 17-strong sales force.
France is viewed as an important market for Abstral as it is one of the largest
existing fentanyl markets in Europe.

The French launch of Abstral follows on from the product's introduction in the
UK and Germany where it has displayed strong growth since its launch in January
2009.  In May 2009 ProStrakan reported that sales of Abstral in the UK and
Germany had reached 7,200 tablets per week.   

Torbjörn Bjerke, President and CEO of Orexo, comments: "Abstral's early launch
in France will provide improved treatment options for many sufferers of
breakthrough cancer pain. This marks another important step in the international
launch of Abstral and Orexo's development of becoming a profitable
pharmaceutical company."


For further information, contact:
Torbjörn Bjerke, President and CEO
Tel: +46 (0)708-66 19 90
E-mail: torbjorn.bjerke@orexo.com 
 
Johan Andersson, Investor Relations Manager
Tel: +46 (0)702-100 451
E-mail: johan.andersson@orexo.com


About Abstral
Abstral is a fast-dissolving tablet for sub-lingual administration of fentanyl,
intended for the management of breakthrough cancer pain in patients who are
already receiving opioid analgesics. It is based on Orexo's unique and patented
sublingual tablet technology in which a rapidly dissolving tablet is placed
under the tongue and the active substance is absorbed by the mucous membrane.
Currently Abstral is sold in Sweden, UK and Germany. In Sweden, Abstral is sold
through Orexo's and ProStrakan's joint venture, ProStrakan AB. The product is in
clinical Phase III in Japan and in the US the clinical phase III is finalized.

Distribution agreements regarding Abstral for Russia and the CIS, Bulgaria and
Rumania have been signed with Gedeon Richter. A distribution agreement has been
signed with Hospira for the Southeast Asian market. For the Chinese market,
Orexo has signed a distribution agreement with NovaMed, and for the Israeli
market Orexo has signed a distribution agreement with Neopharm.

About Orexo
Orexo is a pharmaceutical company focusing on developing treatments for pain and
inflammation. The company has four commercialized products as well as a broad
project portfolio in late stages of development. Sales and product development
are mainly carried out through worldwide partnership agreements with larger
pharmaceutical companies. Orexo has 122 employees, and has its head office
located in Uppsala, Sweden. More information can be found at www.orexo.com.  

About ProStrakan 
ProStrakan Group plc is a rapidly growing specialty pharmaceutical company
engaged in the development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for
the treatment of unmet therapeutic needs in major markets.

ProStrakan's head office is situated in Galashiels in Scotland. The company's
development capabilities are centred on Galashiels and Bedminster, New Jersey,
USA. Sales and marketing of ProStrakan's portfolio of products are handled by
commercial subsidiaries in the UK, US, France, Germany, Spain and other EU
countries.
More information can be found at www.prostrakan.com. 

Note:
Orexo AB (publ) is required to disclose the information provided herein pursuant
to the Swedish Securities Markets Act. The information was provided for public
release on June 30, 2009 at 08:00 CET.