Ark Therapeutics Group plc has completed the dose ranging Phase 1 section of the academic study of Ark’s VEGF-D adenoviral vector treatment for refractory angina. The study is being carried out in collaboration with the AIV Institute in Finland. The subsequent Phase 2a controlled efficacy stage will comprise 15 additional patients to be treated with the optimal dose identified from Phase I and will also compare with controls for indicators of both safety and efficacy. The Phase 2a stage is expected to enrol its first patient in Q3 2012.
Refractory angina is a consequence of insufficient blood supply to the areas of heart muscle damaged by a heart attack. Ark’s adenoviral vector carrying a transgene for expression of pro-angiogenic human VEGF-D is designed to treat the condition by stimulating new blood vessel generation at the ischemic heart muscle to which it is directly administered.
Professor Ylä-Herttuala, Consultant Director of Molecular Medicine at Ark commented: “This is an important step in the development of this new local therapy for severe refractory angina and coronary heart disease patients. Ark’s gene drug delivery is accomplished with a precision catheter system directly into myocardium thus lowering the required dose and targeting the vector directly to the ischemic area where it is needed.”
Date: May 16, 2012
Source: Ark Therapeutics Group plc
Filed Under: Drug Discovery
