Pfizer/Medivation's Dimebon could generate peak annual sales of $1.5 Billion

Assuming that global drug behemoth Pfizer's and US drug developer Medivation's Dimebon (dimebolin hydrochloride) - an over-the-counter Russian antihistamine - shows efficacy in two ongoing clinical trials in moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease that is equivalent to the impressive results it has already shown to date in mild-to-moderate patients, these positive data would promote the use of the drug throughout the course of the disease, according to research and advisory firm Decision Resources.

As a result, following its expected launch in 2012, Dimebon will garner peak year sales of $1.5 billion in the world's top seven pharmaceutical markets (the USA, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and Japan), says DR.

The Phase III CONTACT clinical trial for patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease will investigate the effect of Dimebon on neuropsychiatric symptoms and activities of daily living in patients who are already receiving a stable dose of donepezil (Eisai/Pfizer's Aricept, Bracco's Memac). The Phase III CONSTELLATION clinical trial will investigate slightly different endpoints: the effect of Dimebon on cognition, memory and activities of daily living in patients already receiving a stable dose of memantine (Merz/Grupo Grunenthal's Axura/Akatinol, Lundbeck's Ebixa, Forest Laboratories' Namenda).