19th Nov 2013 09:50
LONDON (Alliance News) - Drugs giant AstraZeneca PLC Tuesday said US regulators had approved a new drug application for its investigational Naloxegol drug, meaning it can potentially be used as a treatment against constipation in those taking opioids for pain relief.
Constipation is the most common side effect caused by chronic administration of prescription opioid pain medicines. Naloxegol, which was developed under an exclusive worldwide license agreement Astra has with Nektar Therapeutics of the US, has the potential to be a once-a-day pill treatment.
It works by stopping opioids binding with certain receptors in the gut. Between 40% and 50% of patients taking opioids for pain relief develop opioid-induced constipation.
Astra will have to make a USD70 million milestone payment to Nektar within five days of the approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.
AstraZeneca shares were down 0.3% at 3,306.50 pence Tuesday morning.
By Steve McGrath; [email protected]; @stevemcgrath1
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