Thursday, June 26, 2008

Alkermes brings opioid dependence treatment into Phase 3

By Mass High Tech Staff

Cambridge biotech firm Alkermes Inc. has begun a Phase 3 clinical trial of its Vivitrol long-term treatment for opioid dependence, the company reports.

Using 200 opioid-dependent patients, the clinical study will test the safety of the treatment for the chronic brain disease, with the goal of filling out a supplemental New Drug Application for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Vivitrol got FDA approval in April 2006 as a treatment for alcohol dependence.

Elliot Ehrich, Alkerme’s chief medical officer, called it the only non-addictive, non-narcotic and long-lasting opioid dependency treatment.

Alkermes reported net income of $9.5 million for 2007 on revenue of $239.97 million. The firm produces treatments for alcohol dependence and schizophrenia.