Pozen, AstraZeneca say proposed pain reliever hits ‘primary endpoints’ in trials

Chapel Hill, N.C. — Drug developer Pozen (Nasdaq: POZN) and its partner AstraZeneca say their proposed pain reliever built around the popular heartburn drug Nexium met the “primary endpoints” set for Phase III clinical trials.

However, the companies also said they still must meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration early next year to discuss questions about the endpoint target.

Pozen shares traded down 23 cents at $6.12 in morning trading.

AstraZeneca has already paid Pozen some $30 million based on advances in the drug called PN 400.

In two trials, the companies said patients “experienced statistically significantly fewer endoscopically confirmed gastric ulcers than those taking naproxen” which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

According to Pozen, some 46 million adults in the U.S. alone suffer from arthritis, and of those 50 percent of those using NSAIDs are at risk of developing ulcers.

PN 400 is being offered as a pain reliever alternative for people who suffer from osteoarthritis but are at risk of developing gastric ulcers.

Full test results will be published “in a timely manner,” the companies said.

Two other trials are continuing.