Aiko opioid painkiller returns positive trial results

By Julie M. Donnelly

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Portland, Maine-based Aiko Biotechnology says its Phase 1 clinical trial for a drug target to treat side effects of opioid painkillers has shown positive results.

Company officials say the trial for the drug candidate, called AIKO-150 confirmed the prediction that it will reverse opioid-induced constipation at dosages that do not cause opioid patients to experience withdrawal. Company officials say the success of the trial substantiated high potential for co-formulation of AIKO-150 with an opioid to create an abuse-resistant pain reliever without the GI side effects associated with opioid use.

Four increasing doses of AIKO-150 were administered to methadone-dependent subjects. The company first began the Phase 1 study in January.

Support for this trial was provided, in part, by a grant from the Maine Technology Institute.

The biotech firm announced last month that it plans to raise $400,000 from unnamed investors.

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