Alpharma today announced positive results from its Phase III trial for its extended-release opioid, ALO-01. The drug demonstrated significant pain relief, which was the primary endpoint of the trial. ALO-01 is designed to be effective when taken as directed, but if tampered with by a drug abuser, the feeling of euphoria is dampened. The company is planning to submit an NDA for the drug in the first half of 2008.
According to Nathaniel Katz, MD, "Alpharma's innovative approach to abuse deterrence holds significant promise for chronic pain patients and healthcare professionals as physicians may be more likely to choose ALO-01, if approved by the FDA, to treat moderate to severe pain than currently available opioid products which do not offer an abuse-deterrent mechanism."
- see the company's release