Pfizer, Medivation 'disappointed' in phase-3 trial results for Dimebon

NEW YORK — A drug originally developed by scientists in the Soviet Union to treat allergies and currently under investigation by Pfizer and Medivation did not yield significant results in a late-stage clinical trial of patients with Huntington disease, a disorder that leads to cognitive decline, the companies said Monday.

In the phase-3 “HORIZON” trial, Dimebon (latrepirdine) did not produce a statistically significant improvement in patients’ conditions, leading the companies to cancel the study, which had enrolled more than 400 patients. Another study, “CONCERT,” in patients with Alzheimer’s disease is ongoing.

“We are disappointed with the results of the HORIZON trial given the high unmet need in this patient population,” Medivation president and CEO David Hung said. “At this point, we will discontinue development of Dimebon in Huntington disease, including the ongoing open-label extension study.”