AbbVie Inc. and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc. said they have discontinued development of their drug MD-7246 after it failed to improve the condition of patients with abdominal pain linked to irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, with diarrhea.

Results from a phase 2 clinical trial showed that when compared to placebo, the drug did not significantly ease abdominal pain in people who have IBS with diarrhea — missing the main and secondary goals of the study.

The companies will no longer develop MD-7246 due to the unfavorable results, but will continue to further examine the data from the 388-patient study, they said in a May 27 news release.

MD-7246, a delayed-release formulation of linaclotide, was generally well-received in the study, with only mild to moderate untoward medical occurrences such as upper respiratory tract infection or common cold.

Linaclotide is marketed by AbbVie unit Allergan PLC and Ironwood as Linzess.

In a previous phase 2 trial, MD-7246 improved abdominal pain in adults with IBS with constipation, with no effect on bowel function.