Phenomix meets endpoint, loses partner

Forest Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:FRX) ended a deal with Phenomix Corp. (San Diego, Calif.) for dutogliptin despite new data showing the compound met the primary endpoint in the Phase III PROT301 trial to treat Type II diabetes. Forest, which had North American rights under a 2008 deal, cited undisclosed "business reasons" for the termination. In the double-blind, international trial, once-daily dutogliptin met the endpoint of significantly reducing HbA1c from baseline to week 24 vs. placebo. Specifically, 200 and 400 mg dutogliptin reduced HbA1c by 0.28% and 0.59%, respectively, vs. a 0.07% increase for placebo (p<0.0138 and p<0.0001). The trial enrolled 542 patients. ...