Orion ponders new Phase III for Simdax

Shares of Finland's Orion were hurt after the drug developer said its researchers and drug partner Abbott Laboratories were pondering the need of a third Phase III trial for the experimental heart failure drug Simdax. Orion emphasized that the talks with Abbott over the design and financing of a new Phase III trial were in an early stage and that it simply made sense to review the need for a new study if it could help the regulatory approval process. Analysts, though, were spooked by Orion's evident lack of confidence in the data it has. Some saw delays or an uphill climb at the FDA. Simdax is approved for use in 40 countries.

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