Ventrus has no immediate plans to continue development of VEN 309

Ventrus Biosciences reported that its Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of iferanserin, or VEN 309, in patients with hemorrhoidal disease did not meet its endpoints. Results of this large, well-controlled study failed to demonstrate an improvement for therapy, in either treatment arm, over placebo for the primary and secondary endpoints. Adverse events were similar for the three treatment arms, with 6 severe adverse events reported -- 3 treatment emergent, one in each group, none of which were deemed to be related to study drug. While the company intends to analyze the totality of its Phase 3 data further, it believes that current resources would be better allocated toward the planned completion of its VEN 307, or diltiazem cream, development program in anal fissures and the beginning of further development of VEN 308, or topical phenylephrine, in fecal incontinence. Consequently, Ventrus has no immediate plans to continue development of VEN 309, resulting in a reduction in expenses.