Thursday, January 28, 2010

Idera moves autoimmune disease treatment to Phase 1 trials

By Mass High Tech staff

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Idera Pharmaceuticals Inc. has begun Phase 1 clinical trials of its IMO-3100 compound, which company officials believe can be used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and psoriasis.

The trial, which is designed to test the safety and tolerability of IMO-3100, will enroll healthy patients who will receive rising single doses to determine dosages for a follow-up trial. Idera also plans measure the drug compound’s pharmacokinetic profile. The two trials combined will contribute to identify a particular autoimmune disease application for the IMO-3100 by the end of this year, Idera officials noted in a press release.

Before the clinical trials, Idera officials said the IMO-3100 compound reduced “pathologic and immunological manifestations of disease.” The company has been testing it preclinically on autoimmune, inflammatory and hyperlipidemia diseases.

Idera (Nasdaq: IDRA) noted earlier this month that it had reached a milestone under a deal it has with Merck & Co., entitling the Cambridge biotech to about $4.3 million in payments. Idera entered into the licensing and collaboration deal with Merck, potentially worth more than $400 million, in December 2007.