Product Development In Brief; Novartis Elinogrel, Acorda Fampridine
Executive Summary
Novartis targets elinogrel Phase III in 2010: After acquiring the anti-clotting compound elinogrel from Portola Pharmaceuticals in February, Novartis is planning to initiate Phase III trials of the drug in 2010, the Swiss drug maker says during first quarter sales and earnings update April 23. A large Phase III program will be required to evaluate safety, Global Head of Development, Pharma Trevor Mundel says. Elinogrel, which could have potential advantages over existing treatments like Bristol-Myers Squibb's Plavix (clopidogrel) as a reversible P2Y12 ADP receptor antagonist, currently is being studied in a 800-patient Phase II study. Novartis gained rights for the drug for $75 million upfront and $500 million in milestones (1"The Pink Sheet" DAILY, Feb. 12, 2009)