MGI Pharma Inc. has acquired the patent rights to a mouthwashform of pilocarpine for treating dry mouth from its inventor,Adib R. Mikhail.

MGI plans to submit late this year or early next year a newdrug application for Salagen, its tablet form of pilocarpine, totreat radiation-induced dry mouth in head and neck cancerpatients. The Food and Drug Administration has grantedSalagen orphan drug designation for this indication.

The mouthwash formulation will give MGI the opportunity tolook at a similar delivery mechanism for other indications,such as Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease thatcauses patients to suffer from severe dry mouth, saidspokeswoman Lori Weiman. The Minneapolis company(NASDAQ:MOGN) also has filed an orphan drug application forthis indication.

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