Circ Pharma

Circ Pharma was a specialty pharmaceutical company based in Ireland that focused on the development of chronotherapeutics, which are medications designed to be released at specific times to coincide with biological rhythms. The company's lead product, CP-048, utilized a proprietary delayed-release technology to deliver prednisone in the early morning hours to combat inflammatory cytokines. This approach was specifically targeted at reducing morning stiffness and pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In 2007, Circ Pharma was acquired by Horizon Pharma, which subsequently commercialized the drug as Lodotra in Europe and Rayos in the United States. The acquisition provided Horizon with its first major pipeline asset and established its presence in the rheumatology market.