Monday, Evotec AG (EVTC) said that its drug candidate EVT 401 showed positive results in its first human trial. Announcing the successful completion of the first phase 1 study of the candidate, the company noted that the drug was well tolerated and demonstrated the desired pharmacodynamic activity in healthy volunteers.
EVT 401, a P2X7 receptor antagonist, is a small molecule drug candidate to orally treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
In the double-blind, placebo controlled study, the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of EVT 401 were investigated with a total of 96 healthy male volunteers who received single oral ascending doses of the compound as a suspension or capsule.
The compound was found to be safe and well-tolerated and there were no serious adverse events or withdrawals. Further, the pharmacodynamic assay used in this study demonstrated the ability of EVT 401 to block ATP-stimulated IL-1beta release in whole blood samples taken from subjects, thereby confirming 'on target activity' following oral dosing.
"We are now focussing our efforts on optimizing the oral dose formulation, completing the Phase I studies, and preparing Phase II studies in Rheumatoid Arthritis," said Werner Lanthaler, chief executive officer of Evotec.
EVTC close Friday's trading at $2.44 on the Nasdaq.
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