The FDA has declined to approve Vanda Pharmaceuticals' drug to treat stomach paralysis symptoms.

Vanda was seeking the health regulator's nod for the drug tradipitant to treat gastroparesis, a condition characterized by delayed gastric emptying. The disease is associated with symptoms such as severe nausea, vomiting, and difficulty finishing a normal meal.

Vanda licensed tradipitant from Eli Lilly and is also studying it for motion sickness.

The health regulator had imposed a partial clinical hold on tradipitant, preventing trials longer than 12 weeks. The company plans to submit a separate application for the drug to prevent vomiting in motion sickness later this year.