Movetis begins new prucalopride trial

Movetis has launched a phase III clinical trial with prucalopride in patients suffering from constipation induced by opioid-based medications.

According to the firm, the latest trial represents the first stage in an attempt to expand the current label of its Resolor product, giving healthcare professionals access to a new oral medication for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC).

The 12-week placebo-controlled trial will involve non cancer-related OIC patients, with 500 people taking part in centres across ten European countries.

Prucalopride has previously been tested by Movetis for treatment of OIC in a phase II placebo-controlled study featuring 190 patients.

Dirk Reyn, chief executive of Movetis, said the company will “continue to advance the development of Resolor as scheduled”.

He added: “The OIC clinical trial programme that we initiated today is the first step in a well thought-out label expansion strategy.”

Resolor was launched onto the UK market in March, having debuted in Germany on January 27th.