Vapreotide (Debipharm).

Debiopharm, under license from Tulane University, is developing vapreotide, a somatostatin analog, for the potential treatment of cancer, GI disorders and bleeding. Phase III trials have been initiated in France, investigating the utility of vapreotide in the treatment of prostate cancer. Phase III trials are also underway in France and Asia in patients with acute bleeding from esophageal varices. Debiopharm is also investigating the use of vapreotide in the treatment of acromegaly, gastrointestinal fistulae, AIDS-related and chemotherapy-induced diarrhea, and various neuroendocrine tumors. Vapreotide may also be useful for inducing hemostasis in cases of acute hemorrhage of the upper gastrointestinal tract.