UCB and Biogen Idec drug enters phase II clinical trial

UCB and Biogen Idec have this week announced the launch of a phase II clinical study of CDP323 as a treatment for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

The trial will involve over 200 patients who have previously failed treatment with beta-interferon, who will receive either two doses of CDP323 as a monotherapy or placebo over six months, with results expected by the end of next year.

CD3323 is an orally-administered small molecule VLA-4 antagonist that has previously been assessed in three phase I clinical trials. In October 2006, UCB and Biogen Idec signed an agreement to develop and market this compound.

Professor Chris Polman, lead investigator of this study, said: “Multiple sclerosis affects more than a million people worldwide and so far, no oral treatment has been available.”

He added that the availability of an oral treatment for multiple sclerosis would represent significant progress in the treatment of the condition, with patients offered a novel non-invasive means of drug delivery.

Under the terms of the development agreement between the companies, Biogen Idec will contribute to phase II clinical costs, with the firms having an equal-sharing agreement on development spending and profits.