Actelion announces phase III cardiopulmonary drug trial

Actelion this week announced the start of phase III clinical trials for Actelion-1, a tissue-targeting endothelin receptor agonist. The earliest trials will be focused on pulmonary hypertension, the program extending to other cardiopulmonary conditions in the future.

The company noted that the drug is designed to act in tissues to focus on the endothelin receptors located there. The treatment aims to prevent damage to the cardiovascular system occurring as a result of increased levels of endothelin.

Martine Clozel, head of drug discovery at Actelion, said: “We have established efficacy and tolerability of Acteion-1 in a phase II program that included a trial in essential hypertension.”

She added that such results point towards pharmacodynamics and ascertain the correlation between dose and effect. Trials indicated that Acetlion-1 reduced blood pressure further than enalapril and placebo.

Phase III trials of the pharmaceutical are anticipated to last a number of years and will have morbidity and mortality benefits as their main investigational goal.

Last week, Actelion reported that Curl Acquisition, its wholly-owned subsidiary, had tendered a cash offer for the shares of CoTherix. Under the terms of the agreement, CoTherix will become a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Actelion.