GlaxoSmithKline and Adolor Report Results from Phase 2 of

Press Release:

GlaxoSmithKline and Adolor Report Results from Phase 2 of Entereg(TM) (alvimopan)

Press Release
News Article March 2005

LONDON and EXTON, Pa., March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Adolor Corporation (NASDAQ:ADLR) announced today initial top-line results from two Phase 2 studies of Entereg (alvimopan). The Phase 2b study (SB-767905/011) evaluated alvimopan for the treatment of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OBD), which results from the use of opioids in patients suffering from chronic pain. The Phase 2a study (SB-767905/007) investigated alvimopan in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) not associated with opioid use.

The Phase 2b study, in 522 non cancer patients with OBD, showed that all three oral alvimopan dosage regimens achieved statistically significant effects on the primary and secondary endpoints compared with placebo.

The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in weekly frequency of spontaneous bowel movements (SBM) (defined as bowel movements with no laxative use in the previous 24 hours) over the first half of the 6-week treatment period. All groups reported an SBM frequency of approximately 1 per week during the baseline period. The average weekly change from baseline over weeks 1-3 was 3.36 SBM for the alvimopan 0.5 mg twice daily treatment group, 3.29 SBM for the alvimopan 1mg, once daily treatment group and 4.17 SBM for the alvimopan 1 mg twice daily treatment group compared to 1.65 SBM for the placebo group. All alvimopan treatment groups were statistically significantly different from placebo at the p<0.001 level. These changes were apparent by the first week of treatment and were sustained throughout the 6-week treatment period, with a prompt return towards baseline following discontinuation of treatment.

Alvimopan treatment was also associated with significant improvements in straining, stool consistency, and incomplete evacuation compared with placebo. These symptomatic improvements were evident by the first week and sustained throughout the 6-week treatment period, similar to the bowel movement response.

In this Phase 2b study adverse events (AEs) affecting the gastrointestinal tract (GI) were the most common, occurring in 30-43% of alvimopan treated patients, compared to 36% on placebo. The most frequently reported AEs were abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea and GI adverse events were also the most common reason for study withdrawal. In this Phase 2b study alvimopan was generally well tolerated. The incidence of any patient reporting an AE was numerically similar between treatment and placebo groups. There was no evidence of antagonism of opioid analgesia based upon pain intensity scores and opioid consumption. Review of safety data is ongoing.

"We are very pleased with the results of this study," said Dr. Yvonne Greenstreet, Senior Vice President, Medicine Developments Centre at GlaxoSmithKline. "These initial results from study 011 are consistent with previous observations from other studies and we believe that the changes seen are clinically important and provide the platform for the development of an important new therapy for patients with OBD."

"OBD is a common and serious clinical problem for millions of patients taking opioids chronically to manage painful conditions, such as severe back pain and osteoarthritis," said James E. Barrett, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer, President, Research of Adolor Corporation. "We are delighted that the results of this study suggest that patients taking opioids such as morphine or codeine may benefit from use of Entereg and believe that the convenience of oral dosing is optimal for development in this patient population."

GSK and Adolor are also reporting the initial, top-line results from study SB-767905/007, a separate Phase 2a, proof of concept, study of alvimopan for possible treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) not due to opioid treatment. GSK and Adolor have previously shown in well controlled pharmacodynamic studies that alvimopan enhanced intestinal transit in normal subjects and patients with constipation not receiving opioids. Study SB- 767905/007 was designed to test the hypothesis that abnormal responses to endogenous opioids (naturally occurring in the body) could contribute to chronic constipation.

There were no statistically significant differences from placebo for any dose of alvimopan on the primary or secondary endpoints, or in key subgroups.

In this Phase 2a study, alvimopan treatment for 8 weeks up to 8 mgs twice daily was generally well tolerated.

Exploratory analyses of these data from Study 007 suggest that some constipated patients may have achieved therapeutic benefits and so, further studies are being considered.

  About Study SB-767905/011
  -- Study SB-767905/011 was a Phase 2b multi-centre, randomized, double-
     blind, placebo controlled trial of 522 adult subjects (64% female)
     with OBD secondary to the use of opioid analgesics for non-cancer
     pain.
  -- The objective of the study was to select a treatment regimen that
     improves OBD symptoms with an acceptable safety profile.
  -- Under the study protocol, patients were randomly assigned to placebo or
     one of three alvimopan treatment regimens for 6 weeks:
     -- 0.5 - mg twice daily
     -- 1 - mg once daily
     -- 1 - mg twice daily

  About Study SB-767905/007
  -- Study SB-767905/007 was a Phase 2a multi-centre, randomized, double
     blind, placebo controlled trial of 217 adult subjects (90% female)
     with chronic idiopathic constipation.
  -- The objective was to test the hypothesis that abnormal responses to
     endogenous opioids (naturally occurring in the body) could contribute
     to chronic constipation.
  -- Under the study protocol, patients were randomly assigned to placebo or
     one of three alvimopan treatment regimens for 8 weeks:
      -- 1 mg - twice daily
      -- 3 mg - twice daily
      -- 8 mg - twice daily

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