A little "News"
Tuesday January 5, 6:32 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Axys Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial of Lead Topical Tryptase Inhibitor APC 2059, for Treatment of Psoriasis
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 5, 1999--Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:AXPH - news) announced today that the company has initiated a Phase I, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and absorption of a single dose of a topically administered cream formulation of APC 2059 in 20 healthy subjects.
This formulation is intended for the treatment of psoriasis. APC 2059 is a proprietary Axys compound and is a member of a class of compounds designed to inhibit the enzyme tryptase, which has been demonstrated to be involved in inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis. In November 1998, Axys initiated Phase I testing of a different (intravenous) formulation of APC 2059 for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
''We are pleased to announce this clinical trial, our second with APC 2059, which we believe will provide further evidence that the inhibition of tryptase represents a breakthrough approach to the treatment of disease associated with mast cell mediated inflammation,'' stated John Walker, chairman and chief executive officer of Axys.
''Additionally, with Bayer's recent nomination of an oral clinical candidate for the treatment of asthma, Axys' tryptase program is truly coming of age.''
''Axys has demonstrated in both preclinical and clinical studies, that inhibiting tryptase reduces mast cell mediated inflammation,'' commented Jean Warner, M.D., Axys' vice president of medical affairs. ''We believe this will be of particular utility as we hope APC 2059 will slow or halt the inflammatory process at an early stage, thereby slowing the progression of the disease as well as alleviating the symptoms.''
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder resulting in excessive skin cell reproduction. The disease has several different clinical presentations which are most often characterized by raised, inflamed lesions covered with a scaly white buildup of dead skin cells. Nearly seven million people in the U.S. suffer from various forms of psoriasis, however, none of the current treatments, including topical steroids and immunosuppressants offer consistent relief.
Axys Pharmaceuticals is a leader in the integration of life science technologies with a focus on transforming gene discoveries into drugs..........
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