Neos' ADHD drug hits the market

Neos Therapeutics Inc. said Monday that its first-of-a-kind treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is now available in pharmacies for physicians to prescribe.

The small Texas company with a sales and marketing headquarters in Blue Bell received Food and Drug Administration approval in January for Adzenys, an orange-flavored tablet for ADHD that dissolves in the mouth in less than 30 seconds and does not require swallowing a pill or capsule.

Adzenys XR-ODT for patients age 6 and older is an amphetamine and the bioequivalent of Shire P.L.C.'s Adderall XR. It will compete with Shire's Adderall and Vyvanse and other ADHD treatments such as Concerta and Ritalin.

ADHD affects 5 percent of children and 2.5 percent of U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms include poor concentration, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

Neos also reported a first-quarter loss Monday of $12.6 million, on revenue of $2.6 million. Revenue came from sales of the company's generic Tussionex, a prescription cough medicine.

Neos Therapeutics had cash and cash equivalents of $76.1 million on March 31.

The company is working on a second oral-dissolving ADHD medicine, containing methylphenidate, a different chemical compound that is not amphetamine-based. It could be launched in 2017.

Neos shares were down 7 cents, or 0.90 percent, to $7.70 in trading Monday.

lloyd@phillynews.com

215-854-2831 @LoydLinda