AACHEN, Germany, June 6 /PRNewswire/ --
-- Tapentadol Would be the First New Molecular Entity in the Class of Oral Centrally Acting Analgesics to Enter Medical Practice in Over 25 Years
At the American Pain Society Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, Grünenthal GmbH presented positive results on preclinical and early clinical studies of tapentadol (CG5503 / R331333).
Tapentadol is a novel centrally acting analgesic with a dual mode of action suited for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pain. "According to the latest study results tapentadol demonstrates the efficacy of a strong centrally acting analgesic with markedly improved gastro-intestinal tolerability compared to standard opioid analgesics", explains Anton Hoos, MD, Vice President Global Development at Grünenthal. "At dosages with a comparable efficacy to morphine, tapentadol showed significantly less incidences of nausea and vomiting, side effects which often limit the use of opioids in pain patients", he continued.
"The data indicate that tapentadol has the potential to offer substantial benefits to pain patients by providing an excellent balance between efficacy and tolerability", commented Teun Grooters, MD, Vice President Global Marketing, Grünenthal.
This new strong analgesic is the latest innovation coming out of Grünenthal's R&D pipeline. It adds to the portfolio of pain products developed and marketed by Grünenthal, whose prime aim is to help physicians to improve pain management and patient care.
Grünenthal entered into a licensing agreement for tapentadol with Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical in February 2003. Under the agreement, Grünenthal is co-developing the product with Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (J&JPRD). Both Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and J&JPRD are affiliates of Johnson & Johnson. Phase III studies will commence later this year. Upon successful completion of the phase III studies and regulatory approval tapentadol would be the first new molecular entity in its class to enter medical practice in more than 25 years.
About APS - American Pain Society and the 25th Annual Scientific Meeting
The American Pain Society is a multidisciplinary organization of basic and clinical scientists, practicing clinicians, policy analysts, and others. The mission of the American Pain Society is to advance pain-related research, education, treatment and professional practice. The 25th Annual Meeting of the society took place in San Antonio, Texas, USA from May 3 to 6, 2006. It was attended by almost 2000 participants, mainly from the USA.
About Grünenthal
Grünenthal researchs, develops and produces high therapeutic value medicines and markets them throughout the world. Grünenthal is an expert in drugs for pain therapy and gynaecology and a leader in the field of intelligent, user-friendly drug delivery technologies. Grünenthal is an independent, family-owned company with a long history of international cooperations. The company was founded in 1946 and has its headquarters in Germany. We supply our markets from seven production sites around the world and have affiliates in 26 countries. Grünenthal employs about 1,800 people in Germany and about 4,800 world-wide. Sales in 2005 amounted to approximately 780 million Euros.
Contact: Anke Krüger-Hellwig
Phone: +49-241-569-2858, Fax: +49-241-569-1486, anke.krueger-hellwig@grunenthal.com
Grünenthal GmbH, 52099 Aachen, Germany, www.grunenthal.com
Contact: Anke Krüger-Hellwig, Phone: +49-241-569-2858, Fax: +49-241-569-1486, anke.krueger-hellwig@grunenthal.com, Grünenthal GmbH, 52099 Aachen, Germany, www.grunenthal.com
