PENWEST'S PAINKILLER TESTS POSITIVE

Penwest Pharmaceuticals has reported that its mid-stage trial of an extended release tablet of nalbuphine, a painkiller, produced positive results.

The company said the goal of the trial was to determine the degree and duration of pain relieved at two different dose levels of nalbuphine extended release, and it found that the tablet reduced pain over the 12-hour study period, with no unusual side effects. Data from the Phase IIa study is based on 165 patients.