Endo Returns Pain Device Right to Durect

Chronogesic is an experimental implantable device which contains the opiate sufentanil and is designed to treat moderate-to-severe chronic pain. No reason was given for Endo's decision.

The company signed a development, marketing and supply agreement with Endo in November 2002. Durect said the deal's termination doesn't affect its partnership with Endo for a sufentanil pain patch.

Sufentanil is about 5 to 10 times stronger than the opoid fentanyl, and is mainly used for short-term pain relief in hospital settings, where it is administered through an IV. The sufentanil patch is being developed as a once-weekly alternative to fentanyl patch Duragesic, the pain relieving effects of which last just 72 hours.

Durect develops drug-delivery systems to provide long-term therapy for chronic pain, heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's.