Maxygen initiates Phase I study to evaluate CTLA4-Ig therapeutic for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Maxygen, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the development of improved protein drugs, today announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical study to evaluate a next-generation CTLA4-Ig therapeutic (designated as ASP2408) that is being developed by Perseid Therapeutics LLC, Maxygen's majority-owned subsidiary, in collaboration with Astellas Pharma Inc. for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and potentially other autoimmune indications. It is the first clinical trial being conducted under Perseid's collaboration with Astellas, which is sponsoring the clinical trial. Perseid has earned a $10 million payment from Astellas for the achievement of this clinical milestone.

The clinical trial is a Phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose escalation study. The primary objective of the study is to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single ascending intravenous doses of Perseid's CTLA4-Ig therapeutic in healthy male and female subjects. The secondary objective of this study is to evaluate the pharmacodynamics of the CTLA4-Ig therapeutic. The trial will take place at one center in the United States and is designed to enroll 65 subjects in eight dose cohorts.

"The advancement of our CTLA4-Ig therapeutic into clinical trials represents another important milestone for Perseid achieved in collaboration with Astellas," said Grant Yonehiro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Perseid.

Source: Maxygen, Inc