Alkeremes, Indevus cite positive results

Two local life sciences companies announced today positive preliminary results from a Phase 2a clinical study of a drug candidate for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

The companies are Alkermes Inc. of Cambridge and Indevus Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Lexington.

The companies are testing ALKS 27, an inhaled formulation of trospium chloride.

According to the companies, single doses of ALKS 27 produced "significant improvement in lung function over 24 hours compared to placebo."

COPD comprises mostly smoking related diseases and is the fourth largest cause of death in the US, the companies said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)