Drugs in R&D
-
Lasofoxifene [CP 336156] is a potent, nonsteroidal, tissue-selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It has the bone-sparing and cardioprotective effects of estrogen, but lacks estrogen's uterine cancer risk. Lasofoxifene is under development with Ligand Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer (formerly Parke-Davis) for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis and breast cancer. ⋯ Lasofoxifene is under clinical evaluation as a treatment for vaginal atrophy. According to Pfizer's pipeline in November 2004, the company anticipates regulatory submission for vaginal atrophy by the end of 2004. In June 2002, Ligand estimated that lasofoxifene has the potential to reach sales of US dollars 1-2 billion, pending approval.
-
Efaproxiral [RSR 13, GSJ 61, JP 4, KDD 86, RS 4] is a synthetic, small-molecule, radiation-sensitising agent being developed by Allos Therapeutics primarily for the treatment of cancer. It works by binding and allosterically stabilising deoxyhaemoglobin in hypoxic regions of tumour tissue. This increases oxygen uptake of the tumour tissue and restores its sensitivity to radiation therapy, making therapy potentially more successful. ⋯ To penetrate the non-oncology market in the US, the company will seek partnership with one or more pharmaceutical companies with direct sales forces and with established distribution systems. Allos is also hoping to secure an oncology marketing partner for non-North American territories. At the time, the company had been issued 21 patents in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan.
-
Although oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in the treatment of a variety of acute and chronic pain conditions, their use may be associated with serious systemic adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal disorders. In order to minimise the incidence of systemic events related to such agents, topical NSAIDs have been developed. Topical NSAIDs, applied as gels, creams or sprays, penetrate the skin, subcutaneous fatty tissue and muscle in amounts that are sufficient to exert a therapeutic effect on peripheral and central mechanisms in the absence of high plasma concentrations. ⋯ Moreover, the topical ketoprofen patch was well tolerated; adverse events were primarily cutaneous in nature and occurred in a similar number of ketoprofen and placebo recipients suggesting that these events were related to the patch itself rather than the active ingredient. The incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events was low (<8% of all patients), and occurred in a similar proportion of patients receiving ketoprofen and placebo. Thus, the topical ketoprofen patch appears to be a simple, effective and safe therapeutic option for the treatment of local painful inflammation.