Actavis announces FDA approval of VIBERZI (eluxadoline) for IBS-D treatment

Actavis plc (NYSE: ACT) announced today that VIBERZI™ (eluxadoline) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a twice-daily, oral treatment for adults suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). VIBERZI (eluxadoline) has mixed opioid receptor activity, it is a mu receptor agonist, a delta receptor antagonist, and a kappa receptor agonist.

"The FDA's approval of VIBERZI is the first step to providing physicians with a new, evidence-based, treatment option for their adult patients with IBS-D," said David Nicholson, Executive Vice President, Actavis Global Brands R&D. "At Actavis, we are dedicated to providing new treatment options, and the development of new agents that help address the most bothersome symptoms of IBS-D. We are very pleased to be working with the FDA to advance this IBS-D treatment and we eagerly await DEA scheduling determination later this year."

IBS-D is a multifactorial disorder marked by recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort and altered bowel function that affects as many as 15 million adult Americans, impacting about twice as many women as men. There are few treatment options available for IBS-D, particularly options that relieve both the diarrhea and abdominal pain associated with IBS-D.

"The unpredictable symptoms experienced by patients with IBS-D can have a significant impact on everyday life," said William D. Chey, MD, Nostrant Professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan Health System. "It's exciting when physicians are able to add an additional treatment option like VIBERZI to their toolbox for patients with IBS-D."

The FDA has recommended that VIBERZI be classified as a controlled substance. This recommendation has been submitted to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Once VIBERZI receives final scheduling designation, the updated label will be available. Pending final scheduling designation, product launch is anticipated in Q1 2016.