Adolor hit hard over trial drug

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, April, 2007 | by Linda Loyd Inquirer Staff Writer

Shares of Adolor Corp. plunged 59 percent yesterday after the Exton company and partner GlaxoSmithKline suspended development of an experimental drug to treat bowel discomfort commonly associated with use of opioid painkillers.

Adolor shares fell $5.12 to $3.60 on the Nasdaq. It was the worst-performing of small-company stocks that make up the Russell 2000 index.

The companies said late Monday that they were halting testing of Entereg after researchers noted a higher risk of heart attacks, tumors and bone fractures in patients taking the drug.

The findings cast doubt on whether Entereg, also known as alvimopan, will ever be commercially approved.

Adolor and GlaxoSmithKline have postponed further clinical...