Selexys begins patient enrollment in SelG1 Phase I study for sickle cell disease

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.