CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alkermes, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALKS) today announced the initiation of a phase 1 clinical study of ALKS 37, an orally active, peripherally-restricted opioid antagonist with potential to block the opioid agonist effects on gastrointestinal motility, commonly referred to as opioid-induced constipation (OIC). The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic effects of a single oral administration of five doses of ALKS 37 in approximately 40 healthy volunteers. Preclinical studies have shown ALKS 37 targets the gastrointestinal tract following oral administration, with limited systemic exposure. ALKS 37 is a component of ALKS 36, a combination drug candidate for the treatment of pain without the side effects of constipation.
