SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2002--Tularik Inc. (Nasdaq:TLRK - News) today announced that it has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetic profile of T487, an orally active small molecule agent that targets a cell surface protein involved in the inflammatory response. This dose-escalation trial will be conducted in up to 30 healthy adult volunteers in the United Kingdom.
T487 acts by inhibiting the binding of specific chemokines to receptor sites on the surface of inflammatory cells known as lymphocytes. Chemokines are a group of peptides that play a key role in the migration of lymphocytes to the sites of inflammation in the body. By inhibiting migration of certain lymphocytes, T487 is expected to reduce inflammation in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis.
"Initiation of Phase 1 trials with T487 is an important milestone for Tularik and validates our ongoing efforts in inflammatory diseases," said David V. Goeddel, Ph.D., CEO of Tularik. "The availability of an oral therapy to treat these chronic illnesses would represent a major advance for patients, especially those who currently rely on injectable therapies."
As part of a collaboration with ChemoCentryx, Inc., initiated in 1999, Tularik is evaluating T487 for potential application in a range of inflammatory diseases. ChemoCentryx is a private, California-based company focused on discovering new classes of small molecule drugs to selectively inhibit chemokine activity and on peptide based therapeutics as immunostimulants. Tularik retains worldwide commercialization rights to T487, while ChemoCentryx will receive certain payments in connection with the development and marketing of T487.
About Tularik
Tularik is engaged in the discovery and development of a broad range of novel and superior orally available medicines that act through the regulation of gene expression. Tularik's scientific platform is focused on three therapeutic areas: cancer, immunology and metabolic disease. The Company currently has three drug candidates in clinical trials, T487 for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, and T67 and T607 for the treatment of cancer. T67 is moving into a pivotal Phase 2/3 study for the treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and T607 is in four Phase 2 trials for the treatment of HCC, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, ovarian cancer and gastric cancer. For more information, visit Tularik's Internet website at www.tularik.com. |
