Lundbeck initiates Phase I trials

Lundbeck has initiated Phase I trials investigating the safety, tolerability and the pharmacokinetic profile of a compound in patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke.

The pharmaceutical candidate Lu AA24493 is a carbamoylated form of human erythropoietin (EPO) – a modification of EPO that sees a loss of haematopoietic effects but maintains the tissue protective effect.

However investigation on animals has shown that the tissue positive effects translate to very positive effects for neuronal damage including models for cerebral stroke.

Peter Hongaard Andersen, head of research at Lundbeck, stated his pleasure that scientists had kicked off clinical development for Lu AA24493.

“There is a significant medical need for effective treatments within stroke and Lu AA24493 offers a novel approach to a disease with few treatment options today,” he indicated.

Lundbeck and Warren Pharmaceuticals have worked in collaboration to develop the compound with Lu AA24493 licensed under Warren while Lundbeck holds worldwide rights for indications related to the central nervous system.

Earlier this month, Lundbeck announced “encouraging results” for another compound Lu AA21004 after a clinical study was carried out for its use in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.

The trial showed the compound to give significant improvements on the primary efficacy endpoints while having an effective safety profile for both 5mg and 10mg.