EMEA committee rejects Novartis' Zelnorm

The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has dealt Novartis a setback on Zelnorm for irritable bowel syndrome, deciding not to recommend the drug. Novartis, which saw its shares slip in the news, immediately announced that it would appeal the negative decision. "Although we are disappointed with the CHMP opinion, we are confident in the clinical profile and benefits of Zelnorm," Novartis' James Shannon said. Zelnorm is already on sale in the US and other countries.

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