Sepracor’s Most Promising Drugs

Sepracor Inc. is researching the removal of molecules that cause side effects in some of medicine’s best-known drugs. Some of the company’s most promising prospects, including the drug’s brand name, generic name, purpose, side effects being removed and stage of development:

Seldane: Terfenadine; non-sedating allergy pill; heart arrhythmia; patent issued, in final tests on people; launch target 1997.

Orudis: Ketoprofen; painkiller; gastric distress; patent issued, in tests on people, launch target 1998. Possible new indication: treatment for periodontitis; launch target 1999.

Ventolin and Proventil: Albuterol; asthma inhaler; more frequent, more intense attacks; patent issued, in tests on people; launch target 1997.

Prozac: Fluoxetine; anti-depression; insomnia, decreased sexual drive; patent issued, in tests on people; launch target 1999; Possible new indication: prevention of migraine headaches; awaiting tests on people.

Cardura: Doxazosin; high blood pressure or enlarged prostate glands; fainting, heart palpitations; patent pending, awaiting tests in people.

Toradol: Ketorolac, severe post-surgical pain; severe gastric distress; patent issued, awaiting tests in people.