Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : PFE (Pfizer) How high will it go? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (2679)	5/21/1998 8:44:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9523

Researchers See Improvement on New Merck, Searle Painkillers Bloomberg News May 21, 1998, 1:00 p.m. PT Researchers See Improvement on New Merck, Searle Painkillers Washington, May 21 (Bloomberg) -- Researchers at Vanderbilt University reported that they've identified compounds that could improve on much-heralded painkilling drugs from Merck & Co. and Monsanto Co. expected to hit the market within two years. The researchers zeroed in on two cyclooxygenase enzymes commonly referred to as Cox-1 and Cox-2, both of which are shut down when a person takes aspirin. In recent years, scientists have learned that the effects of aspirin and other similar painkillers on Cox-1 are what lead to the common gastrointestinal problems and other side effects associated with their use. The new drugs in late stages of development by Merck and Monsanto's G.D. Searle & Co. unit promise to block the action of Cox-2 without major effects on Cox-1, thereby causing fewer side effects. The compounds identified by Vanderbilt, however, could be even more potent because they completely shut down the Cox-2 enzyme, researchers said. ''The ultimate promise would be a new agent that has Cox-2 selectivity and works by a different mechanism,'' said Lawrence Marnett, one of the researchers and a professor at Vanderbilt. ''That might translate into longer duration of action.'' In a study published in tomorrow's issue of the journal Science, the Vanderbilt researchers focus on the most potent of the compounds they've designed, one known as APHS. ''Our results show that potent, irreversible inhibitors of Cox-2 can be designed that may provide a therapeutic equivalent for aspirin . . . without the deleterious effects,'' the researchers concluded. Still, Marnett said it's too early to know the true potential of the APHS compound. In about a year, the researchers should know how promising it is, he said. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt has been contacted by companies interested in further development of the compound, Marnett said. One of them, Searle, participated in the research on the compound by doing animal studies, he said. ''They're certainly interested in it,'' he said. ''We're negotiating.'' A Searle spokesman didn't return calls for comment. In the best case scenario, a new drug from one of the compounds could be available within five years, Marnett said. Searle is expected to file for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of its new Cox-2 inhibitor in the next few months, and Whitehouse Station, New Jersey-based Merck is expected to file soon thereafter. Analysts expect the drugs to generate annual sales of $1 billion or more. St. Louis-based Monsanto had an agreement with New York- based Pfizer Inc. to sell its Cox-2 drug if it wins FDA approval. --Kristin Jensen in the Washington newsroom (202) 624-1843 /mfr