Drug evaluation: Pumosetrag for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Dynogen Pharmaceuticals Inc, under license from Mitsubishi Pharma Corp, is developing pumosetrag (MKC-733, DDP-733), an orally available gastroprokinetic agent and locally acting 5-HT3 partial agonist, for the potential treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation and nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In September 2005, Dynogen commenced a phase II proof-of-concept trial of pumosetrag in IBS with constipation; positive results were reported in February 2007 and a phase IIb trial was to start in the fourth quarter of 2007. In September 2006, the company had initiated a phase Ib trial in nocturnal GERD.