Wyeth reports positive desvenlafaxine trial data

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a Wyeth business segment, has announced positive study data for desvenlafaxine, with menopausal patients receiving the compound showing reduction in moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms compared to those receiving a placebo.

The trial data was presented to the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, with women administered with 100 mg/day or 150 mg/day of the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor experiencing fewer night sweats and hot flashes.

Wyeth exhibited information regarding the compound as three posters at the meeting, each covering a separate analysis of the 12-week multicentre trial.

Ginger Constantine, vice-president of women’s health care at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, said: “Wyeth is committed to continuing to develop desvenlafaxine as a potential non-hormonal treatment option for women with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause.”

She added that approximately ten million menopausal women experiencing moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms, with only a small percentage receiving treatment for these night flashes and hot sweats.

Ms Constantine also noted that all treatments for such symptoms currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration are hormone based.

Wyeth first submitted a new drug application with the FDA for desvenlafaxine succinate as a treatment for vasomotor symptoms in June 2006, the same time as its new drug application for bazedoxifene as a preventative treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.