Pfizer Cites Effective Results on Migraine Treatment

According to a study, US pharmaceutical behemoth Pfizer has had success in late-stage testing for a nasal spray intended to be used as migraine treatment. As per Pfizer, the study, which was peer-reviewed and published in The Lancet Neurology, demonstrated that the company’s medication, Zavegepant, had shown to be “effective in the acute treatment” of migraines and had few noticeable adverse effects.

A sample of 1,405 persons was double-blind tested on a treatment for a condition that has often been treated with oral medications. Half of the participants received a single spray dose, and the other half received a placebo. When tested two hours after the commencement of a migraine, which in addition to producing an often-severe headache can also bring symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light or sound, it was shown that the spray greatly reduced discomfort.

The positive feedback thus far would appear to validate a strategic choice by Pfizer to acquire Zavegepant last year for some $10 billion from developer Biohaven, along with other migraine treatments from the firm. “This phase 3 trial aimed to compare the efficacy, tolerability, safety, and time course of response for Zavegepant nasal spray with placebo in the acute treatment” of migraines, said The Lancet.

But it added that “additional trials are needed to establish the long-term safety and consistency of effect across attacks”. The treatment is already the subject of a number of requests for approval from the US health authority, the FDA. As yet there is no procedure underway for its use in Europe.

James Rusnak, Pfizer’s senior vice president and chief development officer, said the drug “has the potential to be a significant new treatment option” for people with migraines, “particularly those who desire fast-acting relief or would benefit from an alternative delivery method”.

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