Alpharma's Embeda relieves pain in Phase III

Alpharma's abuse-resistant pain drug effectively prevented pain in osteoarthritis patients with moderate to severe pain. More than 72 percent of Embeda (ALO-01) patients said they experienced at least 30 percent pain relief. Only 58 percent of the placebo group reported the same. Embeda is designed to be effective when taken as directed, but if tampered with by a drug abuser, the feeling of euphoria is dampened.

"We look forward to collaborating with the FDA during the review process for ALO-01, which, if approved, would be the first opioid medicine to provide a pharmacologic abuse-deterrent feature while effectively treating patients with chronic pain," said Joseph Stauffer, CMO of Alpharma.

Alpharma withdrew an NDA for the drug in April, citing "certain technical issues around data presentation." The company re-filed earlier this month.

- check out the Alpharma release
- read the WSJ article

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