Targeted failure of the week. Posts 120 and 121. Afamelanotide (CUV1647) and Z160

Zalicus Inc said it would stop developing an experimental pain drug after it failed to show a benefit over a placebo in two mid-stage trials.

The drug, called Z160, was being developed for treating chronic pain. Zalicus said it now planned to focus on another pain drug, Z944.

The company's shares were halted in pre-market trading. They closed at $4.69 on Friday on the Nasdaq.

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (ASX:CUV; Xetra:UR9) said three doses of subcutaneous Scenesse afamelanotide (CUV1647) given every two months missed the primary endpoint in the 93-patient Phase III CUV039 trial to treat erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a severe genetic disorder causing absolute ultraviolet radiation and light intolerance in the skin. Scenesse did not increase the median total duration of pain-free direct sunlight exposure between 10:00 and 18:00 hours as recorded by patient diary from baseline to six months vs. placebo (64.1 vs. 47.5 hours, p=0.107). Scenesse did meet the secondary endpoints of improving quality of life scores at days 60 (p=0.002), 120 (p=0.002) and 180 (p=0.004) vs. placebo.