Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical, Ortho-McNeil developing novel analgesic for acute pain

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., April 28 - Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, LLC and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. will begin phase 3 studies of tapentadol (CG5503/ R331333), a novel, centrally acting analgesic for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acute pain.

Starting the phase 3 studies triggered a milestone payment for an undisclosed amount to the German pharmaceutical company, Grunenthal GmbH, according to a company news release.

Ortho-McNeil entered into a licensing agreement for Grunenthal's tapentadol in 2003. Under the agreement, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical is co-developing tapentadol with Grunenthal.

Tapentadol could be the first new molecular entity in the oral opioid category in more than 25 years, if successfully developed.

Clinical data evaluating tapentadol will be presented at the American Pain Society meeting in May.

Located in Raritan, N.J., Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical specializes in hematology, oncology, infectious disease, neurology and psychiatry, pain and women's health.

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