NXY 059 [CPI 22, NXY 059G], a nitrone with free radical trapping properties, has 
potential in the treatment of ischaemic stroke.This profile has been selected 
from R&D Insight, a pharmaceutical intelligence database produced by Adis 
International Ltd. NXY 059 is based on Centaur Pharmaceuticals' proprietary 
Nitrone-Related Therapeutics (NRT) technology. A generic form of NXY 059, NXY 
059G, has been synthesised. On 12 December 2002, Centaur Pharmaceuticals was 
acquired by, and integrated into, Renovis. AstraZeneca has exclusive worldwide 
rights to NXY 059, under a licence from Centaur Pharmaceuticals; the licensing 
agreement is continuing with Renovis. Renovis will receive a significant 
milestone payment and retains a co-promotion option for NXY 059 in the US. In 
addition, Renovis is entitled to royalties on profits from worldwide sales of 
the drug once commercialised. Centaur received a cash payment of $US1.25 
million, and up to 30% of Renovis stock in exchange for these assets. In May 
2003, AstraZeneca announced the initiation of two major phase III pivotal 
clinical trials to determine the effect of NXY 059 on disability and 
neurological recovery in acute ischemic stroke patients. The trials, known as 
the SAINT (Stroke-Acute-Ischaemic-NXY-Treatment) trials, will compare the 
efficacy and safety of a 72-hour intravenous infusion of NXY 059 given within 6 
hours of the onset of symptoms vs placebo. The studies will enrol >3000 
patients. The SAINT I trial will involve 200 centres across 24 countries in 
Europe, Asia, Australia and South Africa. The SAINT II trial will involve 
patients from approximately 150 sites in the US, Canada and South America. 
AstraZeneca is evaluating NXY 059 in a phase I clinical study in the US. Phase 
III trials of NXY 059 have begun in the UK and Sweden for the treatment of 
stroke. In November 2000, Centaur Pharmaceuticals announced that the Japanese 
regulatory authorities approved AstraZeneca's regulatory filings for phase I 
clinical studies of NXY 059 in Japan. The purpose of these studies is to 
investigate the safety and tolerability of 8h and 24h IV infusions of NXY 059 in 
56 healthy Japanese male subjects. A secondary objective will be to evaluate the 
pharmacokinetics of NXY 059 in these volunteers.