OKLAHOMA CITY, May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Selexys
Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has initiated enrollment in
a Phase I clinical study of its lead compound, SelG1, a humanized
anti-P-selectin antibody.
The placebo-controlled, double-blind, first-in-human, ascending
single dose and multiple dose study of SelG1 will enroll
approximately 30 healthy subjects. This study will evaluate the
safety and pharmacology of SelG1 prior to advancement into a Phase
II trial in patients with sickle cell disease.
“This Phase I study represents the first step in understanding
the potential of SelG1 to address the unmet medical need in sickle
cell disease and we are excited to initiate the clinical
development of this novel compound,” said Dr. Scott Rollins,
Selexys President and CEO. “This Phase I trial represents a key
milestone for Selexys as we transition from a preclinical to a
clinical development stage biopharmaceutical company.”
In 2008, Selexys received orphan-drug designation for SelG1 from
the Food and Drug Administration Office of Orphan Products
Development for the treatment of vasoocclusive crisis, a severe and
painful complication of sickle cell disease. Orphan drug
designation is awarded to therapeutics with the potential for safe
and effective treatment diagnosis or prevention of rare diseases
and disorders that affect fewer than 200,000 people.
About SelG1
SelG1 is an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody
directed against P-selectin, a key member of the adhesion molecule
family known as the selectins. In preclinical studies, inhibition
of P-selectin has been shown to effectively prevent vasoocclusion
by blocking critical cell-cell interactions that drive this
process. Therapeutic blockade of P-selectin may therefore reduce
vasoocclusion and subsequent crises in patients with sickle cell
disease.
“SelG1 represents a first-in-class therapeutic approach for the
treatment of sickle cell disease
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