Wyeth/Progenics' Reslitor approved in EU

Drug major Wyeth and fellow USA-based Progenics Pharmaceuticals have received European marketing approval for Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) subcutaneous injection for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in advanced illness patients who are receiving palliative care when response to usual laxative therapy has not been sufficient. The agent is the first drug approved for OIC in the European Union.

Commercial launch of the agent in Europe will be rolled out on a country-by-country basis, with the first launch anticipated later this month. Administered via subcutaneous injection, the peripherally-acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist decreases the constipating effects of opioid pain drugs in the gastrointestinal tract without affecting their ability to relieve pain.

The drug is already approved in the USA, which has a population of just over 300 million and more than 1.5 million people receive palliative care due to an advanced illness, such as incurable cancer and other end-stage diseases. The precise European Union market size for Relistor is not available, though it is likely to be even greater given that the EU has over 490 million residents. On the day of the news, July 3, Wyeth shares closed up 1.2% at $46.99, while shares in Relistor's originator, Progenics, closed down 2.1% to $14.82.