CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Peptimmune, Inc. a privately
held biotechnology company, announced that physicians have treated the
first participant in a clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability,
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of PI-2301, a novel peptide copolymer
for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.
The Phase I single ascending dose, double blind placebo controlled
randomized study will involve 56 healthy male volunteers who will receive
the drug in eight escalating dose cohorts. Following establishment of
safety at potentially therapeutic doses, the Company will initiate its
first repeat dose study in multiple sclerosis patients in early 2008.
PI-2301 is a second generation peptide copolymer from a similar
compound class as Copaxone(R) (Teva Pharmaceuticals). PI-2301 works through
immune modulation by enhancing the regulatory response of the immune system
to control the pathogenic autoimmune response in certain diseases. PI-2301
has been optimized using Peptimmune's novel platform peptide chemistry and
in pre- clinical studies, has shown to be more potent and effective than
Copaxone(R) in treating disease models for multiple sclerosis. PI-2301 has
also shown efficacy in pre-clinical models of autoimmune diseases where
immune modulation may be effective, such as Crohn's disease, rheumatoid
arthritis and autoimmune uveitis. Peptimmune has also introduced highly
reproducible manufacturing methods that allow very strict control and
characterization of PI-2301 and should provide a superior level of batch to
batch consistency.
"The commencement of this clinical trial is an important milestone for
the development of PI-2301 and for the Company," stated Thomas Mathers,
President and CEO of Peptimmune. "The goal for PI-2301 is to enhance the
therapeutic benefit of a proven compound class in multiple sclerosis and
give neurologists a new weapon as a primary treatment for patients with
this debilitating disease."
Over 400,000 Americans have multiple sclerosis (MS), and worldwide MS
may affect over 2.5 million individuals. MS is an autoimmune disease in
which the individuals' immune system responds against multiple components
of nerve- insulating myelin. The effects of these immune-mediated attacks
can range from relatively benign to somewhat disabling to devastating, as
communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted.
About Peptimmune
Peptimmune, Inc. is a privately held clinical stage biotechnology
company focused on the development of peptide therapies to improve the
management of chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The Company is
in clinical development with second-generation therapeutics that are
expected to result in safer and more effective products for multiple
sclerosis and pemphigus vulgaris. Current investors include New Enterprise
Associates, MPM Capital, Prism Venture Partners, Vanguard Ventures, Hunt
Ventures, Boston Medical Investors, Silicon Valley Bank Capital, Itochu
Corporation, and Genzyme Corporation. For additional information, access
our website at http://www.peptimmune.com .
SOURCE Peptimmune, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.peptimmune.com/
CONTACT:
Dustan Bonnin of Peptimmune, Inc.,
+1-617-715-8043
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