Watson Pharma Gets FDA Approval For RAPAFLO For Treatment Of BPH - Update

10/8/2008 8:05 PM ET (RTTNews) - Wednesday, Corona, California-based Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (WPI: News ), announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA has approved its new alpha-blocker drug RAPAFLO, for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH. The company expects to launch RAPAFLO in early 2009. RAPAFLO, originally developed by Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in Japan and licensed to Watson for the US, Canada and Mexico markets, is an effective, selective alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist. It binds with high affinity to the alpha-receptors concentrated in the prostate, causing the smooth muscles in these tissues to relax and resulting in improved urine flow and a reduction in BPH symptoms. BPH is a clinical condition characterized by urination problems,... [read full story]