ALGORX, CORGENTECH REPORT RESULTS OF ANESTHETIC STUDY

AlgoRx Pharmaceuticals and Corgentech have announced that a mid-stage clinical trial showed that their experimental anesthetic reduced pain in patients with a debilitating foot ailment.

The companies said that patients with Morton's neuroma - a painful neurological foot condition occurring in those who wear high narrow shoes, run, or spend significant time standing -- who were given ALGRX 4975 reported lower pain scores than those patients given placebo.

On a pain scale ranging from zero to 10, with 10 being the most painful, patients given ALGRX 4975 had an average pain score of 2.1 compared with the average 3.5 reported by the placebo group. The average pain score for both groups before treatment was 5.7. ALGRX 4975 was well tolerated and did not demonstrate any significant safety issues.