Conivaptan (Yamanouchi).

Yamanouchi is developing conivaptan, an orally active vasopressin V1A and V2 antagonist for the potential treatment of heart failure, edema and hyponatremia. The company anticipated launch of the product for hyponatremia in 2002 [362201]. By May 2001, Yamanouchi was continuing phase II trials in Japan for hyponatremia and heart failure, and in the US and Europe for heart failure, and phase III trials in the US and Europe for hyponatremia [411763]. In July 2000, it had been reported that conivaptan was undergoing phase III trials in both the US and Europefor hyponatremia and heart failure [377561]. In April 1998, Warner-Lambert (now Pfizer) acquired the rights to YM-087 for US, South America, Europe and Africa, while Yamanouchi retains copromotion rights, but by November 2000, Pfizer had cancelled its licensing contract to market the drug in the US [397901]. In September 2001, analysts at Morgan Stanley predicted launch of conivaptan for hyponatremia in the US between 2004 and 2005 [422782]. In October 2001, analysts at Credit Suisse First Boston predicted that an NDA would be filed in 2002 followed by launch in 2003, with peak annual sales of $50 million and $300 million for hyponatremia and heart failure, respectively [427028].