BUSINESS WIRE
HUENENBERG, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 2, 2009--
Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) announced today that it has discontinued
development of anecortave acetate for the reduction of intraocular
pressure (IOP) associated with glaucoma. The company recently reviewed
interim efficacy and safety data from more than 200 patients in a large,
controlled Phase 2 trial. These data confirmed previous pilot clinical
results that anecortave acetate applied through a single anterior
juxtascleral injection measurably reduced IOP for an extended period of
time. However, based on a detailed analysis of the data, and after
gaining input from a panel of expert clinical advisers, the company
determined that the amount of IOP reduction and the responder rate
provided by even the highest dose were not sufficient to support this
novel approach as a viable way to address the problem of patient
compliance with eye drop therapy.
The Phase 2 study was rigorously designed to evaluate the safety and
three-month IOP-lowering efficacy of a single anterior juxtascleral
injection of three doses of anecortave acetate (24mg, 48mg and 60mg)
versus vehicle. The mean reduction in IOP from baseline for the 60mg
dose was 3.8 mmHg, which was statistically significant versus vehicle.
The mean reduction in IOP was not statistically significant versus
vehicle for the other doses. The goal of the study was to determine if
different doses of anecortave acetate could provide IOP reduction
similar to existing topical medications but for a period of three months
with a single injection.
“The search for alternative delivery routes and new mechanisms of action
against glaucoma remain among Alcon’s most important research
strategies,” said Sabri Markabi, MD, Alcon’s senior vice president of
research and development and chief medical officer. “While the results
show the possibility of alternative, longer term delivery for glaucoma
patients, we are disappointed that anecortave acetate did not prove to
have sufficient IOP reduction efficacy to be a successful treatment.
However, we will continue our efforts to address the issues of efficacy,
patient compliance and other unmet medical needs in the treatment of
glaucoma in concert with leading independent researchers around the
world.”
About Alcon
Alcon, Inc. is the world's leading eye care company, with sales of
approximately $6.3 billion in 2008. Alcon, which has been dedicated to
the ophthalmic industry for more than 60 years, researches, develops,
manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and
devices, contact lens care solutions and other vision care products that
treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye. Alcon's
majority shareholder is Nestle, S.A., the world's largest food company.
For more information on Alcon Inc., visit the company's Web site at www.alcon.com.
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