 | From Adderall to the even more effective Adderall XR, Shire has always been a leader in the field of ADHD. And with the launch of Vyvanse we now have a drug that can genuinely stake a claim to be the next generation of ADHD treatment |
Vyvanse began life as the anonymouslynamed NRP104, a new compound developed by New River Pharmaceuticals.
We began a partnership with New River on this drug in 2004 and subsequently worked with them on its development, gaining FDA approval in early 2007. We acquired the business in April 2007 and are now in the process of launching it under the brand name Vyvanse.
There’s one key factor that makes Vyvanse different from all the other ADHD products on the market. Vyvanse is a so-called ‘pro drug’, which means that it becomes active only once it’s processed in the body, and we believe that this will allow it to have a steadier and more long-lasting effect for the patient. Trials have shown that when children take it in this form their symptoms can be controlled right through the school day and into the early evening, making it easier for them to concentrate on their homework and socialize at home.
From our point of view, Vyvanse is a natural successor to Adderall and Adderall XR, and a drug with the potential to work well for adults as well as children. But the special nature of Vyvanse means that it could also prove to have a much wider positive impact.
The most effective treatments for ADHD are stimulant drugs, which can make them attractive to addicts, and vulnerable to possible misuse by people who want to improve their stamina or alertness, like students at exam time. Knowing this, we’ve worked extensively with college authorities, pointing out the risks of abuse, and supporting educational materials.
For example we supported a program with the American College Health Association entitled ‘Use and Misuse of Stimulants: A Guide for School Health Professionals’ that was sent to all ACHA members.
But since Vyvanse has to be digested before it starts to work and its chemical composition makes it difficult to artificially extract its active ingredient, we believe it should be less susceptible to misuse or manipulation.
In fact, part of the development process included trials with drug addicts, which demonstrated that the so-called ‘Drug-Liking Effect’ of Vyvanse is less than for equivalent doses of shortacting amphetamine treatments (which are similar to Adderall). Taken together, these data suggest that Vyvanse might have the potential for a lower risk of abuse than other stimulants.
We’re only at the early stages of exploring this aspect of Vyvanse. Nonetheless, we’re planning to run more studies, and hope to find that this wider social benefit will prove as robust as the advantages we already know the drug can bring to its patients.
(from the Shire Responsibility Report 2006).