Alizyme discontinues renzapride after poor Ph III data

UK biotechnology firm Alizyme has abandoned development of renzapride after the experimental irritable bowel syndrome drug showed low efficacy versus placebo on the secondary endpoints of a Phase III study. On the day of the news, April 23, shares in the UK firm fell 26% to 28.5 pence. In the 1,821-patient trial, renzapride patients showed a statistically superior response compared to placebo on the primary endpoint - the number of months for which a patient was a responder. The proportion that reported at least some improvement in their overall symptoms was about 60% in the two renzapride dose cohorts compared to about 55% in the placebo patient group each week, with an average increase over the placebo group of 5%-6%. However, limited effects were seen on relief of abdominal pain, relief of bowel problems and relief of bloating. The company is discontinuing development of the drug, including Study 052, an ongoing extension study to evaluate long-term safety and tolerability.