LYPHOMED TO MARKET CARDIADEN (ADENOSINE)

LYPHOMED TO MARKET CARDIADEN (ADENOSINE) under an agreement with Medco Research, Inc., the firm announced Nov. 11. The agreement gives LyphoMed exclusive manufacturing and marketing rights in the U.S. and Canada to the injectable cardiovascular drug being studied for treatment of supraventricular tachycardia. Medco will sponsor and direct the research program for marketing approvals and receive royalties from LyphoMed. Medco Research President Manfred Mosk noted that an IND for Cardiaden was filed in October and clinicals are expected to begin in four to five weeks. LyphoMed said it anticipates completion of clinical trials "in approximately eight months" and expects to market Cardiaden "in the second quarter of 1987." LyphoMed Chairman and President John Kapoor stated that "Cardiaden has the potential of capturing the increasingly lucrative market now dominated by verapamil. This opportunity enhances and complements LyphoMed's existing manufacturing and marketing expertise and positions the company to play an increasingly important role in patented or exclusive pharmaceuticals in the years ahead." LyphoMed's release said both companies believe Cardiaden "has the potential to reach $15 mil. in sales." The Los Angeles, Calif.-based Medco Research licensed adenosine from the University of Virginia. It is the second heart drug Medco has sponsored. In November 1981, the company obtained sponsorship of Napa (acecainide) under an agreement with American Hospital Supply. Mosk said Napa has just entered Phase III clinicals. Mosk also reported that Warner-Lambert, which owns approximately 6% of Medco's total issued and common stock, obtained world-wide marketing rights to Napa about six months ago.