Pozen has taken one of its combination treatments for arthritis pain into Phase III trials.
The drug candidate, PN 400, also is the subject of a revised deal with AstraZeneca, which could total up to $345 million for Pozen. The new terms give Pozen more cash up front to finance the clinical trial and more potential for payments from sales.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis pain is often treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS. These drugs sometimes cause stomach ulcers. Another drug can supress or reduce the amount of the acid produced by the stomach. Pozen's candidate combines the two in the same pill, aiming to treat arthritis pain with fewer gastro-intestinal side effects.
Pozen's current plan, depending on the trials, is to file a new drug application in 2009. The Chapel Hill company's other pipeline products include other combination pain treatments and Trexima, developed in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline for migraines.
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