BBC documents ReGen's zolpidem study

Use of UK biotechnology firm ReGen Therapeutics' novel zolpidem formulation as a treatment for the dormancy associated with brain damage was the subject of a recent television documentary. The program, which was screened by the UK's public broadcaster, the BBC, charted the journey of two British families as they travelled to South Africa to investigate the antidormancy results achieved in a Phase II study (Marketletter September 3).

Zolpidem, an off-patent sedative formally sold by French drug major Sanofi-Aventis under the Stilnox and Ambien brand names, was first shown to have an antidormancy effect by researchers working at the Walko Medical Center in Springs in South Africa's Gauteng province. Earlier this year, the team confirmed the drug's non-sedating effect in a trial examining it in ambulant patients who had been disabled following serious brain injury.

ReGen said that research featured in the program adds to the number of well-documented cases in which zolpidem has been used to improve the condition of patients who are in a persistent vegetative condition. The UK firm went on to say, however, that the drug is likely to be of most benefit for ambulant patients, an indication for which it plans to initiate a clinical trial early next year.