Cephalon Overcomes Sparlon Scare

Updated from 12:31 p.m. EST

Just a few weeks ago, Cephalon looked like it was marching confidently toward the regulatory review of its drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Now, the Frazer, Pa., company appears to have developed a bit of a limp, as a panel of medical experts prepares to meet on Thursday to discuss the experimental ADHD drug Sparlon, which Cephalon is proposing for the treatment of children ages 6 to 17.

On Wednesday, a day ahead of the panel meeting, the Food and Drug Administration posted on its Web site an analysis by a staff member who recommended that Cephalon's application be rejected. The risks are greater than the benefits "and preclude the safe use of this drug" for treating ADHD, the staff report, written last September, says. ...