SK Biopharm's constipation treatment in phase-2 trials in U.S.

SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. said on Sunday it began phase-2 clinical trials of YKP10811, a treatment for chronic constipation, in the United States last month.

The phase-2 trials are conducted on patients with chronic constipation and other gastrointestinal disorders to see if once-a-day oral dosing of the drug is effective and safe.

Once the phase-2 and phase-3 trials succeed, SK Biopharm expects to begin sales of the new drug around 2016.

Unlike the current treatments for constipation that rely on dietary fiber supplements, laxatives and intestinal fluid secretagogues, YKP10811 has a broad spectrum of efficacy in both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract and an improved safety profile, according to SK Biopharm.

It also reduces the pain from the gastrointestinal tract, the pharmaceutical arm of SK Group said in a press release.

About 20 percent of the population in developed countries suffers from chronic constipation.

SK Biopharm plans to push for clinical development and commercialization of the YKP10811 through its U.S. arm SK Life Science, Inc.

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldm.com)