Another disappointment for GlaxoSmithKline with darapladib

UK Pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) today announced disappointing headline results from its second Phase III study with darapladib, SOLID-TIMI 52, evaluating the efficacy of its investigational Lp-PLA2 inhibitor in adults following an acute coronary syndrome.

In the study, darapladib did not achieve the primary endpoint of a reduction of major coronary events versus placebo when added to standard of care. The overall safety profile for darapladib showed no major safety concerns and was generally consistent with the safety data seen in the previously reported phase III study, STABILITY. Further analysis of the data is ongoing. Darapladib is not approved for use anywhere in the world.

Darapladib had  already failed in the Phase III STABILITY study for patients with well-treated heart disease. Analysts at the time said that the product could have reached $10 billion in revenues if successful, forecasting a 2015 launch with hopes of significant upgrades from this product.