Alpharma receives positive feedback from Embeda trial

Source: Healthcare Digital

Date :9/10/2008 4:13:05 AM

Alpharma Inc have said its experimental pain drug Embeda had successfully reduced pain in patients with osteoarthritis.

The company said a 12-week study showed patients taking the drug had significantly lower pain compared with those on placebo.

More than 72 percent of patients taking the drug had pain relief of at least 30 percent, compared with 58 percent of patients given placebo reporting that much pain relief.

Earlier this month Embeda, which was submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration in late June, was given a priority review by the agency. This means that a decision on whether to approve the product will be made within six months of application.

Alpharma is currently fighting off a US$1.4 billion takeover bid from King Pharmaceuticals Inc. Last month the pharmaceutical company rejected King's offer, but said it would seriously consider any "bona fide proposal that reflected the fair value of the company."