Indevus bladder drug meets trial goals
Shares of Indevus Pharmaceuticals, based in Lexington, jumped today after the biotech drug maker released data showing that an extended-release form of its Sanctura overactive bladder treatment significantly cut down on bathroom visits and incidents of patients urinating before being able to reach a restroom.
Indevus shares rose 40 cents, or 8.6 percent, to $5.05 in premarket activity on the INET electronic exchange. Shares have traded between $2.45 and $6.75 over the past 52 weeks.
The drug also helped increase the volume voided from the bladder on each visit.
The late stage clinical trial -- the first of two -- followed 601 patients, 85 percent of whom were women, and gave them either Sanctura XR or placebo.
At the end of the 12 weeks, patients given Sanctura XR went to the bathroom an average of 2.81 fewer times a day, compared with 1.99 fewer times in the placebo group. Patients given the treatment had an average 78 percent fewer episodes of so-called urge incontinence, compared with an average 56 percent in the placebo group.
Also, patients taking Sanctura XR urinated more when they did go to the bathroom, 30 milliliters more on average compared to an increase of 19 milliliters more in the placebo group. (AP)
