AGI to end development of bowel drug

Drug development group AGI Therapeutics has stopped development work on its treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, Rezular, after disappointing clinical trials results.

The decision follows the completion of Phase III trials of the product which found no “statistically significant differences” between it and existing treatments with regard to pain relief or the severity of pain

“Based on this preliminary data analysis, AGI does not believe that Rezular will meet the regulatory requirements for an effective therapy for the broad IBS-D population and plans to cease its development in this indication.”

The finding is a severe blow to AGI. Dr John Devane chief executive said “we are very disappointed that this study did not achieve its primary clinical endpoint”.

He said the company would now shift its development focus to other products in its pipeline.