Arena Pharmaceuticals initiates Phase 2 Clinical Trial Evaluating Ralinepag for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ARNA) announced today the initiation of patient dosing in a Phase 2 clinical trial of ralinepag, an oral, non-prostanoid prostacyclin (IP) receptor agonist intended for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
"An intriguing component of this compound is the smooth peak-to-trough ratio, which may potentiate efficacy and minimize toxicity relative to currently available therapies," said Lewis J. Rubin, M.D., Emeritus Professor of Medicine at University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine. "This clinical trial should help to further elucidate how ralinepag's intrinsic properties translate to its efficacy and safety profile."
This 22-week, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial will evaluate the hemodynamic and exercise capacity effects, safety and tolerability of ralinepag in up to 60 patients with PAH. During the first nine weeks of the trial, patients will be titrated to their individual tolerance level, and then sustained at this level for the remainder of the trial.
"We believe ralinepag offers promise in the IP receptor class of molecules given its oral availability, long plasma half-life, and high selectivity and potency in vitro," said Jack Lief, Arena's President and Chief Executive Officer. "In conjunction with our other clinical-stage programs, this compound further enhances our optimism about Arena's value drivers."
Source : http://finance.yahoo.com
