USAN approves generic name "ulimorelin" for Tranzyme Pharma's TZP-101

Tranzyme Pharma today announced that the United States Adopted Name Council (USAN) has approved the generic name “ulimorelin” for Tranzyme’s novel, late-stage, prokinetic agent TZP-101. Ulimorelin, if approved, is expected to be a first-in-class drug for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility indications in acute care (hospital-based) settings. Ulimorelin is a small molecule, intravenously-administered drug that targets the ghrelin receptor; ghrelin is responsible for energy homeostasis, appetite regulation and gastro-intestinal motility. The safety and pharmacokinetic profiles of ulimorelin have been extensively characterized in healthy subjects and patients across multiple dose levels, and the GI prokinetic properties of the compound have been well established in humans.

“Macrocycle-Based Drug Discovery: The Ulimorelin Story, at the upcoming Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 17th International Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference being held February 3-5, 2010 in San Francisco, CA.”

To date, ulimorelin has been successfully studied in two international Phase 2 trials, one for the management of postoperative ileus (POI) and a second for the treatment of acute gastroparesis, and has the potential to treat other conditions where a safe and effective GI prokinetic therapy is desired in acute care settings.

Helmut Thomas, PhD, DABT, Tranzyme’s Senior Vice President of Research and Preclinical Development, will present the case study, “Macrocycle-Based Drug Discovery: The Ulimorelin Story, at the upcoming Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 17^th International Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference being held February 3-5, 2010 in San Francisco, CA.