Irish biopharmaceutical company Alkermes has initiated a Phase I clinical trial of ALKS 8700, a novel monomethyl fumarate (MMF) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).

The Phase I trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of several oral formulations of ALKS 8700 compared with both placebo and active control groups in about 125 healthy volunteers.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The company said that ALKS 8700 is designed to rapidly and efficiently convert to MMF in the body and provide differentiated features compared to the currently marketed dimethyl fumarate, TECFIDERA.

"ALKS 8700 is a new and proprietary monomethyl fumarate (MMF) molecule in development for treatment of MS."

Alkermes chief medical officer Elliot Ehrich said: "We expect the results of this study to be highly informative and determine the therapeutic utility and differentiating features of ALKS 8700.

"ALKS 8700 leverages Alkermes’ expertise in prodrug chemistry and oral controlled-release formulations to offer potential differentiated tolerability and dosing for patients with MS."

See Also:

The randomised, double-blind trial is designed to investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of multiple formulations and doses of ALKS 8700 as well as to determine those suitable to progress into advanced clinical testing.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The start of the Phase I trial follows the company’s filing of an investigational new drug (IND) application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the issuance of a composition of matter patent for ALKS 8700 from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in March 2014, which is expected to provide patent protection into 2033.

ALKS 8700 is a new and proprietary monomethyl fumarate (MMF) molecule in development for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).