All out for OTC

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Allergan: Botox to the bladder is nothing to frown about

Botox is the first drug to be approved for the treatment of neurogenic overactive bladder in patients who are intolerant to anticholinergic drugs. The lack of dry mouth and constipation side effects with Botox is a big advantage, yet the need for it to be administered by a specialist will limit uptake. Nevertheless, Allergan's commercial resources will help to drive sales in this niche population.

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Allergan: new Botox indication nothing to frown at

Allergan is seeking approval for its drug Botox in stroke-related spasticity. The patient potential for this indication is 1.8 million in the US alone, and there is no significant competition - so it will greatly boost Botox's annual revenues. Despite the drug's reputation as an anti-wrinkle therapy, Botox is also useful in several non-cosmetic indications.

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Allergan: new data suggest Botox treats chronic migraine

Top-line Phase III clinical trial data of Botox for the prophylactic treatment of chronic migraine showed a statistically significant decrease in the number of headache days at 24 weeks. Depending on full data results expected in mid-2009, Botox could become the first approved treatment for this debilitating and largely underserved condition.

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Allergan: sales growth set to outperform peers

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Allergan: Tazoral acne studies backfire

Concerns over possible birth defects and the prospect of off label prescribing for acne mean Tazoral faces severe challenges in gaining regulatory approval. Allergan [AGN] may now rue the trials it conducted in acne, which heightened fears of off label use in this indication, resulting in rejection of the product even for use in psoriasis.

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Alliance OneSource: teaming up pays off in Cleveland

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Allos Therapeutics: targeting underserved cancer market

Following positive results from the pivotal Phase II PROPEL trial, pralatrexate has been filed for FDA approval in second-line and higher peripheral T-cell lymphoma treatment. If pralatrexate is approved, its resulting first-to-market status may facilitate its uptake in this underserved patient population and pave the way for extension into more lucrative indications.

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Alpharma: fight for blockbuster gabapentin heats up

Alpharma has received market exclusivity for the anticonvulsant gabapentin, which is currently protected under patent by Pfizer, using the brand name Neurontin. Alpharma is expected to wait for a court ruling on the validity of Pfizer's production patent before entering the market. That should allow time for Pfizer to launch its follow on product, pregabalin, thus protecting future revenues.

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ALS: diagnosis data points to hope on the horizon

Scientists at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have identified the first biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These findings pave the way for a reliable test that will identify ALS sufferers at an earlier stage of the disease, and give more chances to companies developing disease-modifying drugs.

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