MAP Pharma reports positive migraine drug data

MAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Wednesday it will present a new analysis showing its inhaled drug Levadex was effective in a late-stage study at treating moderate-to-severe migraine pain even when taken up to eight hours after the attack’s onset.

The company has already reported that the study met its key effectiveness and safety goals and a number of secondary goals in the study, called Freedom-301. Levadex, which is the inhaled form of an intravenous migraine treatment administered in hospitals and doctors’ offices, worked when taken at the initial onset of the migraine and as late as eight hours later. The study involved 771 patients.

“Several published studies have shown that the efficacy of triptans is reduced significantly when treatment is delayed. However, many patients may be unable or unwilling to treat migraine early in an attack,” said Stewart Tepper, M.D., director of research for the Center for Headache and Pain at the Cleveland Clinic.

“Patients are looking to remedy this with a therapy that works when administered at any time during the migraine cycle.”

Tepper and the company will present the new analysis at the 52nd annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society in Los Angeles on Friday. Data also will show that Levadex was effective and well-tolerated in migraine patients with asthma.

Shares of MAP rose 39 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $13.10 in midday trading.

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NEW YORK
The Associated Press