Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Announces Phase 2 Trial Of Telotristat Etiprate Shows Positive Results In Carcinoid Syndrome

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals

announced positive, top-line data from a recently completed Phase 2 study in carcinoid syndrome with telotristat etiprate. Results from the trial will be presented at the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society on Saturday, October 13, 2012 in San Diego, California. Carcinoid syndrome is a chronic condition caused by neuroendocrine tumors that usually originate from the gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by severe diarrhea and flushing episodes with long-term consequences including malnutrition, heart disease, and death. Carcinoid syndrome has been linked to excess production of serotonin by metastatic tumor cells. Telotristat etiprate is an oral investigational new drug designed to treat carcinoid syndrome by reducing serotonin production in patients with metastatic carcinoid tumors.  Telotristat etiprate has Fast Track status and Orphan Drug designation from the Food and Drug Administration, and Orphan Drug designation from the European Medicines Agency. The primary efficacy endpoint of the trial was the reduction of bowel movements from baseline in patients with metastatic carcinoid syndrome who were refractory to or could not tolerate somatostatin analog therapy. Patients experienced a