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FORM 8-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
July 23, 1997
ROBERTS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION
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(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Jersey 1-1-432 22-2429994
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(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification
incorporation) Number)
Meridian Center II
4 Industrial Way West
Eatontown, New Jersey 07724
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(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 908-389-1182
Meridian Center II
4 Industrial Way West
Eatontown, New Jersey 07724
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(Former name or former address, if changed from last report)
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Item 5. Other Events
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Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation announced today that it has
filed with the Food and Drug Administration an Investigational New Drug
Application (IND) for LY315535, one of the new gastrointestinal (GI) compounds
recently acquired from Lilly. Roberts plans to develop the compound for the
treatment of Functional Bowel Disorders (FBD).
LY315535 is an orally administrated drug that can act as both a
mascarinic receptor antagonist and as a serotonin (5-HT) receptor antagonist
with a high degree of selectivity for the 5-HT1A receptor subtype. Because of
these two different modes of action on the GI tract, the compound offers the
potential to treat a broad spectrum of FBD symptoms with a single drug.
It has been estimated that 15% - 20% of the world population has FBD and
current therapies such as over-the-counter medicines and prescription
antispasmodics tend to provide limited or erratic treatment response.
Roberts noted that LY315535 is one of the first new compounds acquired
by the Company to be internally advanced towards clinical development, thus an
important new phase in Roberts R&D program.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ROBERTS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION
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(Registrant)
Date: July 25, 1997 By: /s/ Anthony A. Rascio
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Anthony A. Rascio
Vice President