DMP-504 (DuPont Pharmaceuticals Co).

DMP-504 is a novel hydrogel bile acid sequestrant being developed by DuPont for the potential treatment of primary moderate hypercholesterolemia. It is in phase III trials. Equilibrium binding studies coupled with computer simulation of human bile flow predict that DMP-504 could be 3- to 4-fold more potent than cholestyramine in a clinical setting. Preclinical pharmacology studies demonstrate DMP-504 is 6-fold more potent than cholestyramine at decreasing serum cholesterol in hamsters. Clinical studies, at doses ranging from 0.9 to 7.2 g/day, indicate that DMP-504 is well tolerated and decreases LDL-cholesterol by up to 34%. As of June 1997, DuPont was seeking to outlicense DMP-504, which will be marketed in an easy-to-swallow, non-gritty tablet.