Desmoteplase: Development discontinued

Lundbeck ceased development of desmoteplase to treat acute ischemic stroke. The compound, which has been in development for more than a decade and failed a Phase III trial in 2007, received its latest clinical setback in June when it missed the primary endpoint in the Phase III DIAS-3 trial. Desmoteplase treatment administered 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, June 30). ...