Alkermes showcases three new programs

Alkermes plc (NASDAQ:ALKS) unveiled three new preclinical programs at its R&D day on Wednesday: small molecule prodrugs of monomethyl fumarate (MMF) for multiple sclerosis (MS); ALK 7106, an opioid modulator for pain; and RDB 1419, a fusion protein consisting of IL-2 and IL-2R-alpha, for cancer. President and CEO Richard Pops said the company plans to file INDs and start Phase I trials of the compounds next year.

Alkermes also disclosed that it began a Phase II trial to compare ALKS 3831 -- a combination of ALKS 33, an opioid receptor modulator, and olanzapine, an antipsychotic monoaminergic receptor antagonist -- vs. olanzapine alone in schizophrenics. Data from the trial are expected in 1H15. ...