ALX-0600 (NPS Allelix Corp).

NPS Allelix (formerly Allelix Biopharmaceuticals) is developing the glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) analog ALX-0600 for the potential treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, including short bowel disease. GLP stimulates the growth of the lining of the small intestine, thus increasing the absorptive area of the intestine [214370], [315107]. ALX-0600 also has potential for mucositis associated with cancer chemotherapy and inflammatory bowel disease [331459]. During the third quarter of 1999, a pilot phase II trial began for short bowel syndrome (SBS) [331459]. ALX-0600 began pivotal phase II trials in 2000 following the completion of the pilot trial which was designed to measure the safety, tolerability, and any other drug-related improvements in nutrient absorption and physical changes in the gut of a small number of patients with SBS. Allelix hopes to bring this drug to the market by 2001 [341519]. Allelix filed an application to the FDA for Orphan Drug designation in the third quarter of 1999 [331459]; in August, the designation was approved [377524]. As of November 1998, Allelix was in discussions with a potential marketing partner for worldwide development and marketing [305000]. In August 1998, the USPTO issued a notice of allowance to Allelix for its basic patent containing claims covering the composition and medical uses of ALX-0600 and related GI drug candidate compounds [2946571.