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June 2, 2008

Abbott's ABT-089 --Much More than a Treatment for ADHD

Analysis of: Abbott Scientists Present A New Approach for Treating Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | biz.yahoo.com

This analysis is solely the work of the author. It has not been edited or endorsed by GLG.

Analysis By:

Daniel Wynn, MD
Director, Clinical Research, Consultants In Neurology Ltd.

Implications: The data on ABT-089 in adults has been released with positive results, whereas the adolescent/childhood trial is on-going for this novel compound for ADHD. The key difference is the potential to improve learning, not simply regain attention and lessen hyperactivity.

Analysis: ADHD is the most common psychiatric diagnosis in school age children, with a high percentage of those affected, continuing to suffer into and though adulthood. What is needed, and may be present here, is the first compound to not only decrease hyperactivity and inattentiveness, the cardinal symptoms in ADHD, but improve learning and memory deficits.

Presently the pediatric/adolescent marketplace for ADHD is relatively saturated, with the majority of children and adolescents on treatment. Why then might Abbott have a phase II trial for this compound knowing that if approved, it would have to compete against numerous generic stimulants? If ABT-089 lives up to its promise to improve learning and memory deficits in children and adolescents and simultaneously improve attentiveness and reduce hyperactivity, it would likely become the drug of choice over stimulants and Stratera. Simply put, this is the first compound to hold promise to decrease the number of children carrying the diagnosis into adulthood. Similarly, it becomes a very attractive compound to test in a broad spectrum of chronic illnesses of children and adults associated with cognitive impairment, from autism to Alzheimer's to bipolar disease. If the ongoing studies of ABT-089 in children show similar results as seen in the now released adult trial, the drug is an almost certain blockbuster.

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