US-based Pfizer said it received positive results for its migraine headache nasal spray in late-stage testing.
- ‘Zavegepant’, a nasal spray produced by Pfizer, was found to be “effective in the acute treatment” of migraine headaches, with few apparent side effects, in phase 3 testing.
- The spray significantly reduced pain when evaluated two hours after the onset of a migraine.
- Pfizer says zavegepant has the potential to be an important new treatment option for migraine sufferers who want fast-acting relief.
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has announced positive results in phase 3 trials of a nasal spray designed to treat migraines, according to a report. study published in the journal The Lancet Neurology this Thursday, February 16, 2023. Peer-reviewed research has shown that the drug called, “zavegepant”, produced by Pfizer has proven to be “effective in acute treatment” migraines and had few apparent side effects. The treatment was tested on a sample of 1,405 people, half taking a single dose of spray and the rest receiving a placebo.
Migraine: the spray significantly reduces pain
The spray was observed to significantly reduce pain when tested two hours after the onset of migraine, a chronic condition which, in addition to causing often severe headaches (called headaches), can cause symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light or sound.
These positive results appear to validate a strategic move by the US pharmaceutical company to acquire the rights to the drug zavegepant last year for some $10 billion from developer Biohaven, along with other migraine treatments.
Zavegepant: potential “an important new treatment option”
James Rusnak, senior vice president and chief development officer of Pfizer, said the drug “has the potential to be an important new treatment option” for people with migraines, “especially those who want fast-acting relief or who would benefit from another method of delivery”.
“This phase 3 trial aimed to compare the efficacy, tolerability, safety and duration of response of zavegepant nasal spray with placebo in acute treatment” migraines, can we read in the review The Lancet. However, “further testing is needed to ensure long-term security and consistency of effects from attack to attack”. The treatment is already the subject of several authorization requests from the American health authority, the Food and Drug Administration. Nevertheless, there is not yet an ongoing procedure for its use in Europe.