Product Pipeline
Ariston is currently developing three compounds for four clinical indications. Prototypes of each product have shown evidence of efficacy in previous clinical studies.
AST-726 Migraine prevention
The lead compound, AST-726, is a nasal reformulation of a well-established and very safe vitamin B12 treatment and is expected to enter Phase II clinical trials in Europe for migraine prevention in 2006. A GMP formulation of AST-726 successfully completed Phase I studies in 2005 in the US.
Migraine affects 30 million or more people in the US. Acute migraine medications such as the successful triptans help some patients. However, roughly 40% of attacks are not completely resolved by such acute medications and many patients with cardiovascular problems can not take triptans. Some patients have attacks so frequently that acute treatment is not sufficient. Therefore, up to 11 million patients in the US are candidates for safe preventative medications, such as AST-726, to reduce severity and frequency of attacks.
AST-726 is also expected to enter Phase III trials in 2007 for maintaining healthy vitamin B12 levels. Vitamin B12 deficiency affects 1-3% of the US general population and particularly the elderly. Existing first line therapies for this indication require chronic intramuscular injections, often for life.
AST-117 Anxiety
AST-117 is an oral drug for the treatment of anxiety states. In vitro, animal and human clinical studies indicate that AST-117 could provide a safer and effective alternative to leading anxiety drugs.
AST-914 Movement Disorder
AST-914 is an oral drug for the treatment of a highly prevalent movement disorder. In vitro, animal and human clinical studies indicate that AST-914 could provide a safe and effective treatment for this disorder which currently has very few treatment options.