NEW YORK, Jun 28, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- BUDAPEST, Hungary, June, 29, 2010-- Forest Laboratories, Inc. and Gedeon Richter Plc. today announced top-line results from a Phase II placebo and positive comparator-controlled, parallel-arm, double-blind, dose-response clinical trial of the novel, investigational NR2B-selective NMDA (N-methyl D-aspartate) receptor antagonist, radiprodil (RGH-896), for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPNP). Treatment with radiprodil did not show statistically significant or clinically meaningful reductions in mean daily pain scores, the primary endpoint, compared to placebo for any of the dosages studied.
The companies will review the complete study database over the coming weeks to determine the appropriate next steps regarding the development of radiprodil.
About the Study
This was a randomized placebo and active-controlled parallel-arm, double-blind, dose-response study in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) who were clinically diagnosed with painful polyneuropathy (greater-than or equal to 6 months) due to type I or type II diabetes mellitus. Patients had a minimum daily pain rating of at least four at screening, and an average daily pain rating of at least four (on an eleven-point scale) during the one week before baseline.
Following a five-week screening/washout period during which all analgesic medications used for DPNP were discontinued, a total of 458 male or female outpatients between 18 and 75 years of age were randomized to one of three radiprodil doses (15mg, 30mg, 45mg), an active comparator (100mg pregabalin), or placebo given three times a day (TID) for 14 weeks.
The protocol-specified primary endpoint was the change from baseline to Week 14 in mean daily pain rating for the individual radiprodil treatment groups compared to placebo treatment. A secondary endpoint was the rate of 50% pain responders (defined as patients with a greater-than or equal to 50% reduction in mean daily pain rating from baseline to Week 14). Both endpoints were analyzed using the last observation carried forward approach (LOCF).
Across the different dosing groups the most common adverse events observed after treatment with radiprodil were dizziness, fatigue, and insomnia.
About Radiprodil
Radiprodil is a novel, potent, orally active NR2B (a subunit of the NMDA receptor) antagonist. Radiprodil was discovered by Gedeon Richter and is currently being co-developed with Forest Laboratories as a candidate for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain conditions, including neuropathic pain caused by diabetes mellitus. Forest Laboratories has licensed US and Canadian rights for radiprodil from Gedeon Richter.
About Gedeon Richter Plc.
Gedeon Richter, (www.richter.hu) headquartered in Budapest/Hungary, is a major pharmaceutical company in Hungary and one of the largest in Central Eastern Europe, with consolidated sales of approximately 1 billion EUR (1,3 billion USD) and 3 billion EUR (4 billion USD) market capitalization in 2009. Gedeon Richter plays the role of a regional multinational company in Central Eastern Europe and in the CIS and has a growing presence via its strategic partners in the US and through its commercial subsidiaries in key EU countries. The product portfolio of the company covers almost all important therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, central nervous system, gynecology, etc. The company has the largest R&D unit in Central Eastern Europe. Original research activity focuses exclusively on CNS disorders with main clinical targets being schizophrenia, anxiety, chronic pain and depression. With its widely acknowledged steroid chemistry expertise the company is a significant player in the female healthcare field worldwide.
About Forest Laboratories
Forest Laboratories /quotes/comstock/13*!frx/quotes/nls/frx (FRX 27.97, +0.34, +1.23%) is a U.S.-based pharmaceutical company with a long track record of building partnerships and developing and marketing products that make a positive difference in people’s lives. In addition to its well-established franchises in therapeutic areas of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, Forest’s current pipeline includes product candidates in all stages of development and across a wide range of therapeutic areas. The Company is headquartered in New York, NY. To learn more about Forest Laboratories, visit www.frx.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the difficulty of predicting FDA approvals, the acceptance and demand for new pharmaceutical products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the timely development and launch of new products, and the risk factors listed from time to time in Forest Laboratories’ Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and any subsequent SEC filings.
SOURCE: Forest Laboratories, Inc.
Forest Laboratories, Inc. Frank J. Murdolo, 212-224-6714 Vice President - Investor Relations Frank.Murdolo@frx.com Copyright Business Wire 2010
