Data from Novogen inflammatory bowel disease drug Phase I clinical trial shows promise

A recently completed Phase 1 clinical trial of an investigational drug to treat inflammatory bowel disease has demonstrated rapid absorption indicating potential for development as an oral therapy.

The drug, NV-52, is an anti-inflammatory compound developed by Australian pharmaceutical company, Novogen Limited.

The Phase I study was conducted at the Gold Coast Hospital under the direction of clinical pharmacologist, Professor Laurie Howes, Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Griffith University and a Professor of Medicine at Bond University.

NV-52 is a synthetic analogue based on the phenolic structure of naturally-occurring isoflavones, well known for their range of health benefits when consumed in certain foods and is undergoing development as an orally- delivered non-toxic agent for the maintenance of remission in inflammatory bowel disease.

NV-52 was given orally to 6 healthy young male volunteers as a single dose. Plasma and urine samples were taken immediately prior to drug administration and up to 48 hours following drug administration.

After the initial appearance of the drug in plasma, levels rose rapidly in all subjects indicating rapid absorption. The drug appeared to have reasonably consistent bioavailability in all 6 subjects.

Maximum plasma concentrations occurred approximately 4 hours after drug administration and the plasma half life (time at which half of the drug was eliminated) was approximately 8 hours.

Importantly, there were no adverse events reported during the study.

Professor Howes said the results indicated that NV-52 given as an oral dose was rapidly absorbed and produced appreciable plasma levels in all volunteers.

"These results indicate that oral therapy with the drug is feasible," Professor Howes said.

The completion of this study in human volunteers is the first step in the clinical development of the drug, demonstrating its safety and the mechanics of accumulation and elimination in humans.

Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, affects around 1 in 1,000 individuals causing pain, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, weight loss and fatigue and may progress to bowel perforation. Moreover it is believed that such conditions may predispose affected individuals to colon cancer.

The cause of these diseases is poorly understood and no current management strategy is effective.

Current treatments do not provide a cure, and all produce significant unwanted side effects.

The disease usually recurs, with relapse rates of up to 80 per cent within the first year post-remission.

On this basis, the most effective management strategy is to devise improved maintenance therapy and treatment regimens which prolong the periods of remission without unwanted side effects.

Previous animal studies indicated NV-52 appears to be suited as a maintenance therapy to prevent relapse of disease.