Pozen rises as ulcer drug meets goals in studies

Shares of Pozen Inc. climbed Thursday after the company said its experimental ulcer treatment worked in two late-stage clinical trials.

Pozen's drug candidate PA32540 combines omeprazole, the active ingredient in heartburn drugs like Prilosec, with aspirin. The omeprazole is released as soon as the drug is taken and the aspirin is released over time. Pozen said patients who took PA32540 in the clinical trials had fewer gastric ulcers than patients who took a placebo, and the drug also met secondary goals, like reducing gastroduodenal ulcers.

There were a total of 1,049 patients in the studies. All of them were taking aspirin to prevent heart problems, and they were at risk for aspirin-related ulcers. Patients took either PA32540 or placebo once per day for six months.

Pozen said it will file for marketing approval of PA32540 in the third quarter. Its shares rose 64 cents, or 13.3 percent, to $5.44 in morning trading.

How are Ulcers Diagnosed?

The two tests most commonly used to evaluate for ulcer are an X-ray known as an Upper GI Series or UGI, and a procedure called an Endoscopy or EGD.

Endoscopy: This test involves insertion of a small lighted flexible tube through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine (duodenum) to examine for abnormalities and remove small tissue samples (biopsy). The test is usually performed using medicines to temporarily sedate you.

Upper GI Series: Alternately, there is an X-ray test where you are given a chalky material (barium) to drink while X-rays are taken to outline the anatomy of the upper digestive tract.

Pozen's drugs include the arthritis drug Vimovo. It helped develop the migraine treatment Treximet, although it sold most of its royalty rights to the drug in 2011.

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP)