SAN DIEGO, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Trega Biosciences, Inc.
(Nasdaq: TRGA), today announced that it has completed four of the five planned
dosage groups in its phase I dose-escalation trial of HP 228. The company
evaluated the safety of administering HP 228, its proprietary compound, to the
lungs in a study initiated in April 1998 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Four treatment groups, totaling 32 healthy volunteers, received HP 228
over a wide range of doses in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled
study. HP 228 dry powder formulation was delivered to the lungs using Dura
Pharmaceuticals' Spiros(R) Inhalation System, a proprietary pulmonary
drug-delivery system.
"Trega elected not to study the highest of five dose levels, because we
are satisfied that the preliminary data confirmed two important goals of the
trial," said Dr. Lawrence Muschek, Trega's president of research and
development. "The data show the presence of HP 228 in the plasma following
administration to the lung, which indicates systemic absorption in the body.
In addition, the data show there were no safety problems at the doses studied
which would impede continued investigation of HP 228 delivered to the lung."
Currently, Trega does not plan further inhalation studies of HP 228 without
funding from a prospective partner.
Trega Biosciences is a drug discovery company utilizing combinatorial
chemistry and other technologies to pursue the discovery of novel,
small- molecule drug therapies. The company leverages its technology platform
by entering into pharmaceutical alliances, which provide partners with access
to Trega's technologies in exchange for licensing fees and potential
milestones and royalties, or by establishing joint-discovery alliances with
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Trega also uses its drug
discovery technologies in its internal development programs, which are focused
today on discovering small molecules acting on melanocortin receptors.
Melanocortins are a receptor pathway for the potential treatment of
inflammatory and metabolic diseases.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties, including whether any clinical research now underway
or to be conducted in the future or any other aspects of clinical or
laboratory research to be conducted will be successful, any collaborations or
alliances will be agreed to, formed or expanded, whether regulatory approvals
can be obtained for products discovered and developed, if any, the impact of
competitive products and pricing, whether any other corporate collaborations
or alliances will be successful, and other risks detailed from time to time in
Trega's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking
statements represent Trega's judgment as of the date of this release. Actual
results may differ materially from those projected. Trega disclaims, however,
any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Trega Biosciences, Inc.
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CONTACT:
Vince Reardon, Director, Corporate
Communications of Trega Biosciences, Inc., 619-410-6555
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