Well-traveled desmoteplase finally hits the wall

H. Lundbeck A/S (CSE:LUN) said it will cease development of desmoteplase (DPSA) to treat acute ischemic stroke.

The compound, which has been in development for more than a decade and failed a Phase III study in 2007, received its latest clinical setback in June when it missed the primary endpoint in the Phase III DIAS-3 trial. Treatment with desmoteplase given 3-9 hours from onset of stroke symptoms did not lead to greater proportion of patients with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2 points at day 90 vs. placebo (51.3% vs. 49.8%) (see BioCentury Extra, June 27). ...