SAN DIEGO, Dec. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Arena
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:
ARNA) announced today the initiation of dosing in a Phase 1
clinical trial of APD811, a novel oral drug candidate discovered by
Arena that targets the prostacyclin receptor for the treatment of
pulmonary arterial hypertension, or PAH.
“An orally bioavailable prostacyclin receptor agonist could
improve the standard of care for patients with PAH, a
life-threatening disorder,” said William R. Shanahan, M.D., Arena’s
Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “APD811 is a
non-prostanoid compound; in preclinical studies, the oral uptake,
half life and efficacy characteristics suggest that it could offer
improved administration over current prostacyclin receptor
therapies.”
This randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled Phase 1
trial is planned to enroll up to 72 healthy adult volunteers and
will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of
single-ascending doses of APD811.
“While our primary focus is on achieving FDA approval of
lorcaserin for weight management, we see value in advancing our
promising earlier-stage compounds that may also address underserved
medical needs,” said Jack Lief, Arena’s President and Chief
Executive Officer. “With a measured investment, we aim to establish
a favorable pharmacokinetic and preliminary safety profile for
APD811 in this trial.”
About Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)PAH is a
progressive, life-threatening disorder characterized by increased
pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the
lungs. The increased pressure puts a strain on the heart, which can
lead to limited physical activity and a reduced life expectancy.
Over time, the heart muscle weakens and can no longer pump blood
efficiently. If PAH is not treated, the heart will eventually fail.
Data from the National Institute
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