A new chance for a smoke-free life - Acetium® lozenges available across Finland

Free of nicotine and side effects, Acetium offers a totally new option for those seeking to quit smoking. Its effectiveness as a help for quitting smoking has been known for some years, and the link was confirmed in an extensive study published last year ¹. Now, the product has raised broad interest both in Finland and internationally. 

"Acetium® lozenges are available in Finland in pharmacies, R-kioski shops, well-stocked convenience stores and the Biohit online shop at www.biohitshop.fi,” says Semi Korpela, President & CEO.

With the introduction of the product, a social media campaign will also be launched to build motivation and offer assistance for quitting smoking.

Using Acetium is simple and safe. It is not classified as medication and does not require a prescription. The best results are achieved with regular use of the lozenges during smoking for 3-6 months.

Made in Finland

Acetium® lozenges are an innovation developed and manufactured in Finland, and they are free of the side effects of conventional nicotine replacement products or prescription drugs. The product is patent protected in several countries.

Effectiveness proven by studies

The effectiveness of Acetium® lozenges in smoking intervention has been evaluated in two clinical trials ^{1, 2}. Regular use of the lozenge during smoking increases the likelihood of quitting by a factor of 1.5 compared to a placebo ². Its effect is equivalent to those of nicotine replacement therapy products.

"According to smokers who participated in the clinical trial, the use of Acetium® results in a reduction of the pleasure gained by smoking and a change in the taste of cigarettes, which facilitate the cessation of smoking ²,” explains Professor Kari Syrjänen, Chief Medical Director.

Acetium® lozenges contain L-cysteine, a natural amino acid that binds acetaldehyde dissolved in saliva from cigarette smoke ³. The lozenge also contains a small amount of xylitol to reduce the production of acetaldehyde by bacteria in the mouth and improve overall oral hygiene.

What is acetaldehyde?

Normal saliva does not contain acetaldehyde ³. Acetaldehyde is a carcinogen⁴ and one of the harmful substances in tobacco smoke. The Acetium® lozenge removes up to 90% of smoke-derived acetaldehyde in saliva.

Learn more: www.acetium.com

Facebook: Acetium

Additional information:
Chief Medical Director, Biohit Oyj, Professor Kari Syrjänen, MD, PhD, tel. +358 40 556 5810 kari.syrjanen@biohit.fi
or CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
tel. +358 9 773 861
investor.relations@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com/additional-information

Biohit in brief

Biohit Oyj is a globally operating Finnish biotechnology company. Biohit’s mission is "Innovating for Health” – we produce innovative products and services to promote research and early diagnosis. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, and has subsidiaries in Italy and the UK. Biohit's Series B share (BIOBV) is quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki in the Small cap/Healthcare group. www.biohithealthcare.com

References

1. Syrjänen K et al. Elimination of cigarette smoke-derived acetaldehyde in saliva by slow-release L-cysteine lozenge is an effective new method to assist smoking cessation. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention. Anticancer Res.  2016;36:2297-2306.

2. Syrjänen K et al. Slow-release L-cysteine (Acetium) lozenge is an effective new method in smoking cessation. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention. Anticancer Res 2017;37:3639-3648.

3. Salaspuro VJ et al. Eliminating carcinogenic acetaldehyde by cysteine from saliva during smoking. Cancer Epid Biomark Prev 2006;15:146-149.

4 Secretan B et al. WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer Monograph Working Group. A review of human carcinogens- Part E: tobacco, areca nut, alcohol, coal smoke, and salted fish. Lancet Oncol 10:1033-1034.