Alkermes to Seek FDA Approval of Anti-Addiction Drug

Ryan McBride11/16/09

Cambridge,MA-based biotech Alkermes said this morning that its long-acting naltrexone injection (Vivitrol) was more effective in treating opioid drug dependence than placebo in a Phase III clinical trial. The 250-patient clinical trial compared urine samples of patients who took the firm’s once-per-month injection of naltrexone versus those who took placebo over the last 20 weeks of a 24-week treatment period. Alkermes (NASDAQ:ALKS) said that it plans to file an application with the FDA for approval of its drug for treating opioid dependence in the first half of 2010. The FDA approved the drug for treating alcohol dependence in 2006.