Advantage For Synergy’s Plecanatide Over Rival Linzess Holds Up In IBS-C

Top-line data for Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s plecanatide in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) from the first of two pivotal Phase III trials appears to be confirmation that the guanylyl cyclase C receptor agonist will have the advantage of less incidence of diarrhea than its chief rival, Allergan PLC/Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Linzess.

There was also less incidence of diarrhea versus Linzess (linaclotide), also a GCC agonist, in the Phase III program for plecanatide in chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), its lead indication. Plecanatide is under review at FDA for CIC with an action date of Jan. 29. (Also see "Synergy Flaunts Constipation Data From Linzess Challenger" - Scrip, 23 May, 2016.) In CIC pivotal studies, plecanatide resulted in diarrhea as a side effect in 5