title: Methylnaltrexone Progenics.
abstract: Progenics is developing methylnaltrexone (MNTX), an opioid antagonist licensed from UR Labs and the University of Chicago, for the potential treatment of the side effects of opioid pain therapy, such as constipation and post-operative bowel dysfunction. MNTX was discovered at the University of Chicago and subsequently licensed by UR Labs. In October 2001, Progenics entered into an agreement with UR Labs to obtain exclusive worldwide rights to the drug [423791]. MNTX is in phase II trials, with phase III studies expected to begin in 2002 [423791]. In October 2001, a double-blind, randomized, phase II study evaluating sc MNTX in cancer patients for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation was initiated at the University of Chicago Medical Center [423791]. In December 2001, the company stated that it was preparing to initiate phase IIb trials of the compound in opioid-induced constipation and post-operative bowel dysfunction [423791], [432507]. These trials were initiated in February 2002 [440995].
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Bologna, Italy. deponti@biocfarm.unibo.it
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Ponti
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C032257:methylnaltrexone; D009271:Naltrexone