FDA extends action date for its review of Cephalon's sNDA for NUVIGIL Tablets

Cephalon, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEPH) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the action date to March 29, 2010, for its review of the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for NUVIGIL® (armodafinil) Tablets [C-IV]. The sNDA is for the indication of improved wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with jet lag disorder due to eastbound travel.

"We will continue to work closely with the FDA to assist them in completing their review of our application in a timely manner and do not anticipate any further delays beyond the March 29, 2010, action date," said Dr. Lesley Russell, Chief Medical Officer at Cephalon. "We remain excited about this opportunity as there are no medications approved by the FDA to treat excessive sleepiness associated with eastbound jet lag disorder."

This sNDA for NUVIGIL was filed with the FDA on June 29, 2009, and given the action date of December 29, 2009, under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). The company submitted additional information within 90 days of the assigned action date. Subsequently, the FDA informed the company that the agency required more time for a full review of the submission and, therefore, would extend the action date by three months.