Elsiglutide, a novel GLP-2 peptide agonist, is discovered by Zealand Pharma and licensed to Helsinn Healthcare, and is indicated in the treatment of diarrhea induced by chemotherapy in cancer patients.
Helsinn Healthcare is set to complete a Phase Ib study with elsiglutide to assess its safety and tolerability and find the maximum tolerated dose in colorectal cancer patients.
According to the company, the Phase Ib study is conducted under an Investigational New Drug application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and final study completion is expected in Q1 2012.
Helsinn is also preparing a Phase IIa study in parallel to evaluate the efficacy of elsiglutide in the primary prevention of diarrhea in colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.