Norgine and Tranzyme commence phase III study of ulimorelin

Norgine and its partner Tranzyme Pharma have commenced a new clinical study of ulimorelin, a developmental intravenous promotility agent.

Dosing has been initiated for the first of two phase III trials of the drug, which will involve 300 patients each and will assess its efficacy in managing postoperative ileus in hospital and acute care settings.

The condition involves the temporary disruption of normal bowel motility after surgery and can result in longer hospital stays, thereby negatively affecting the patient and placing a burden on healthcare resources.

Dr Vipin Garg, president and chief executive officer of Tranzyme, observed that treatment options for this condition are currently limited.

"We are committed to finding new and safe therapeutics for critical unmet medical needs and the commencement of this phase III program is a vital step towards achieving that goal," he added.

Last month, Norgine announced that Allison McAulay and Janet Granger have been appointed as the newest members of its corporate and business development team.