New IBS Drug
Wednesday November 3, 3:18 pm Eastern Time
Glaxo says study shows Lotronex superior in IBS
LONDON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - British drugs group Glaxo Wellcome Plc (quote from Yahoo! UK & Ireland: GLXO.L) said on Wednesday a head-to-head comparison showed its new irritable bowel syndrome drug Lotronex was significantly more effective than a current commonly-used therapy, mebeverine.
In a statement, the company said a 12-week study involving more than 600 non-constipated women in 15 countries showed Lotronex was ``significantly more effective in controlling the multiple symptoms of the disease,'' which include abdominal pain and discomfort.
Glaxo said the difference reached statistical significance after four weeks of treatment, and was maintained through the rest of the 12-week period.
Mebeverine is one of the most commonly-used treatments for irritable bowel syndrome, and is available generically and over-the-counter.
Glaxo hopes Lotronex will become a major seller in the market for IBS, a condition estimated to affect up to 20 percent of the popualtion, but predominant in women.
Glaxo's drug will partly compete with Zelmac, a new IBS treatment under development by Switzerland's Novartis AG .
IBS is said to be the second most common cause of absenteeism from work. Current treatments mainly involve laxatives which give only partial relief, and analysts say there is a high degree of unmet medical need in the market.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter have forecast sales of 875 million Swiss francs for Zelmac by 2003, and 736 million pounds for Lotronex over the same period.
Fetured Book
Chronic Pain; Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management
by: Margoles, Michael (Edt) Hardcover
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