Alkermes Inc.'s (ALKS) pipeline received a boost with its candidate ALKS 33 faring well in a mid-stage study (n=400) in alcohol dependent patients. The candidate is being developed for treating patients suffering from reward disorders and other central nervous system (CNS) problems.  The study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the candidate, administered orally on a daily basis, at three dosages compared to placebo. Alkermes intends to present complete results from the study at an upcoming medical conference.

Apart from ALKS 33, the other interesting candidates at Alkermes include ALKS-6931 for treating rheumatoid arthritis, ALKS-7921 and ALKS-9070  for treating schizophrenia, ALKS-37 for opioid-induced constipation, and ALKS-36 (a co-formulation of an opioid analgesic and ALKS- 37) for the treatment of pain without the side-effects of constipation. Alkermes also expects to present key data on some of its other pipeline candidates in the near future. The successful development and commercialization of the pipeline candidates should boost the company's top line.

In addition to the robust pipeline, Alkermes has two marketed products in its portfolio. The current growth driver at Alkermes is Risperdal Consta indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The drug is marketed worldwide by Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). The other approved product at Alkermes is Vivitrol for the treatment of alcohol dependence. The label of the product was expanded in October 2010 when the FDA approved the drug for an additional indication - the prevention of relapse to opioid dependence after opioid detoxification. We believe that the successful label expansion of the drug will bring in additional revenues at Alkermes.