Swiss pharma firm Actelion Ltd. (ALIOF.PK) on Monday said two recently concluded studies with the first orally-active CRTH2 antagonist, setipiprant, in asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis did not confirm efficacy findings made in earlier studies. Accordingly, the company is discontinuing clinical development with this agent in these indications.
Actelion's CRTH2 antagonist, setipiprant, blocks the effects of prostaglandin D2 role in inflammation and consequently the amplification and maintenance of allergic reactions. It targets the allergic inflammation at the beginning of the cascade.
Actelion will now re-direct its development efforts in the anti-inflammatory area, focusing on a potent follow-up CRTH2 antagonist currently in Phase I clinical development.
By focusing on the more potent follow-up compound, Actelion expects to further develop the understanding of the CRTH2 mechanism as a potential anti-inflammatory mode of action in allergic indications.
Separately, Actelion said Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has granted approval for miglustat for the treatment of Niemann-Pick type C disease.
The approval was based on the data generated for the first approval of miglustat in this indication in the European Union, as well as data specifically generated for the submission to the Japanese Health Authorities.
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