ORION CORPORATION            PRESS RELEASE        22 SEPTEMBER 2017 at 8.30 EEST          

Orion Pharma scientists led research group wins award for study paper on dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel for noise anxiety in dogs

Orion Pharma scientists led research group has been recognised for the impact of their research by leading industry journal. Dr. Mira Korpivaara (DVM) and Dr. Mirja Huhtinen (DVM, PhD) from Orion Pharma Research and Development with their collaborators have been awarded with the Veterinary Record Impact Award by the British Veterinary Associations's renowed weekly journal Veterinary Record. The impact award recognizes a research paper published in the journal within the previous 12 months that is considered to have the most potential contribution for changing veterinary practice.

The winning paper "Dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel for noise-associated acute anxiety and fear in dogs - a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study" by Mira Korpivaara, Mirja Huhtinen and their collaborators, veterinary behaviour specialists Karen Overall (University of Pennsylvania, USA), Barbara Schöning (Veterinary Specialty Practice for Behaviour, Hamburg, Germany) and Kaisa Laapas (Biostatistician), reported the results from a clinical study demonstrating that oromucosal dexmedetomidine gel at subsedative doses alleviates noise-associated acute anxiety and fear in dogs.

According to the reviewers, the paper is an important contribution to the literature on acute anxiety and fear associated with noise in dogs. The judges commended the study for being a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study of the appropriate power. In addition, the editorial accompanying the report in Veterinary Record highlighted the welfare aspect of the treatment, commenting: 'dexmedetomidine gel provides an important part of the arsenal of any welfare centred practice and extends the opportunity for veterinarians to more fully engage with the prevalent welfare problem of noise sensitivity.'

"We are very excited and proud of the recognition by the Veterinary Record. There is an unmet need for treatment options for dogs suffering from noise anxiety. Our study demonstrated that dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel provides veterinarians a treatment option for alleviation of acute anxiety and fear associated with noise in dogs", says Dr. Mira Korpivaara from Orion Pharma.

More information:
Mira Korpivaara, DVM, Development Leader, Orion Pharma Animal Health
tel. +41 79 196 35 47, mira.korpivaara@orionpharma.com

Link to research paper: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/vetrec/180/14/356.full.pdf

Publisher:
Orion Corporation
Communications
Orionintie 1A, FI-02200 Espoo, Finland
Homepage: www.orion.fi

Orion is a globally operating Finnish pharmaceutical company - a builder of well-being. Orion develops, manufactures and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical ingredients and diagnostic tests. The company is continuously developing new drugs and treatment methods. The core therapy areas of Orion's pharmaceutical R&D are central nervous system (CNS) disorders, oncology and respiratory for which Orion developes inhaled Easyhaler® pulmonary drugs. Orion's net sales in 2016 amounted to EUR 1,074 million and the company had about 3,500 employees. Orion's A and B shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. Founded in 1917, Orion celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2017.




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Source: Orion Oyj via Globenewswire

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