Nektar Therapeutics presented topline data from its phase-2 clinical trial of oral NKTR-118 at the American Academy of Pain Management's (AAPM) 20th Annual Clinical Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. NKTR-118, an oral peripherally-acting opioid antagonist, is a late stage investigational product candidate in clinical development for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation. NKTR-118 was developed by Nektar, utilizing its proprietary small molecule advanced polymer conjugate technology platform.

This presentation at AAPM includes topline data previously announced by the company in March 2009. In a phase-2 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 208 patients with opioid-induced constipation, NKTR-118 met the primary endpoint of increase in spontaneous bowel movements over the baseline period. There was no reversal or reduction of opioid-mediated analgesia in any dose groups. NKTR-118 was also well tolerated with the most commonly reported side effects being dose-dependent gastrointestinal-related effects.

NKTR-119 is an investigational drug candidate that is a co-formulation of oral NKTR-118 and an opioid analgesic.

Nektar Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics based on its PEGylation and advanced polymer conjugation technology platforms.