Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (LSE: NAPL), which focuses on the development and commercialization of proprietary pharmaceuticals for the global marketplace in collaboration with local partners, is pleased to announce that its licensee, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, (”Glenmark” - BSE - id 532296) has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial for crofelemer for the indication of acute infectious diarrhea at two sites in India. that placebo-controlled crofelemer trial is expected to conclude in six months.

Glenmark licensed crofelemer for the indications of acute infectious diarrhea, chronic diarrhea in persons living with HIV/AIDS and pediatric diarrhea in by 140 emerging economies and developing countries. Once these indications are approved in Glenmark’s territories, Glenmark will pay ascending royalties to Napo on sales of

crofelemer for these indications.

Glenmark is the manufacturer of crofelemer API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) for Napo’s current Phase 3 trial for crofelemer for chronic diarrhea in persons living with HIV/AIDS, which is being conducted at sites in the United States under a special protocol assessment agreement with the FDA.

“We are delighted that Glenmark has moved forward with that trial,” said Lisa A. Conte, CEO of Napo. “Including Glenmark’s current trial, we are expecting clinical results from four trials of crofelemer around the end of Q1 2008, including the interim results from the Phase 3 CRO-HIV trial and look forward to filing a NDA for that fast tracked indication in Q3 2008.”

Original post by Mallows