Prometheus buys rights to Lotronex from GSK

RESEARCH TRIANGLE, N.C. GlaxoSmithKline has sold the rights to its irritable bowel syndrome drug Lotronex to Prometheus Laboratories, according to pharmatimes.com.

Lotronex was withdrawn from the market in 2000 following reports of ischaemic colitis and severe constipation. The drug was brought back two years later, but under a “Prescribing Program,” which entails restricted use.

The deal is expected to be finalized in January. The drug will still be sold exclusively through the Prescribing Program and doctors enrolled in the plan can only write prescriptions.

Even though IBS affects more than 58 million people, the drug only had sales last year of $14 million, most likely due to the restrictions on it.