Wyeth awards milestone payment for digestive research treatment

Progenics Pharmaceuticals has announced that it has been awarded a $5 million (2.64 million pounds) milestone payment from the pharmaceuticals division at Wyeth.

The funding was prompted by a late-stage trial conducted by Progenics into its intravenous methylnaltrexone treatment for postoperative ileus, which impairs the gastrointestinal tract. The trial is likely to involve 500 patients who have had surgery to remove a section of their colon.

The treatment, which will be given a “fast track” review by the US Food and Drug Administration, is being developed by both firms following an agreement last December.

Commenting on the trial, Robert J Israel MD, senior vice president of medical affairs at Progenics, said: “Intravenous methylnaltrexone is designed to target the underlying cause of post-operative ileus, the unwanted interaction of opioids with the gastrointestinal tract.

“Our studies will evaluate the ability of methylnaltrexone to accelerate bowel recovery after surgery.”

Speaking at the time of the initial agreement between the two firms, Bernard Poussot, president of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, said that the collaboration “strengthens” the firm’s position within the gastroenterology field.