Wyeth-Ayerst's Sonata backed by FDA

American Home Products' subsidiary Wyeth-Ayerst has been grantedclearance to market Sonata (zaleplon) in the USA. It is indicated for the short-term (generally seven to 10 days) treatment of insomnia in adults, including the elderly. The product will be launched once the US Drug Enforcement Administration scheduling is complete. Sonata, which was first launched in Denmark and Sweden earlier this year (Marketletter May 24), is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic in the pyrazolopyrimidine class. It will enter a sector of the hypnotic market dominated by Synthelabo's non-benzodiazepine drug Ambien/ Stilnox (zolpidem), which achieved sales of $457 million in 1998. AHP is hoping that its drug's minimal hangover effect will allow it to rapidly capture market share in the sector.