Phase 2 study of CCX354 for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

ChemoCentryx announced that it has begun enrolling patients in its Phase 2 clinical trial of CCX354, an orally-bioavailable, novel, small molecule drug designed to specifically target the CCR1 chemokine receptor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will be conducted in patients with RA who are on stable doses of methotrexate. The study is expected to enroll a total of approximately 170 patients. Doses of 100 mg twice-daily and 200 mg once-daily of CCX354 will be tested in the study and treatment duration will be up to 12 weeks, consisting of two sequential stages, Stage A and B. Stage A will be a multi-dose, sequential dose escalation sub-study in 24 subjects with stable RA. Stage B will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group sub-study in approximately 150 patients with RA on stable doses of methotrexate. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of CCX354 in RA patients currently being treated with stable doses of methotrexate, and multiple clinical endpoints will also be evaluated.

CCX354 is a potent and selective antagonist of CCR1, a chemokine receptor that drives the recruitment of immune cells, such as monocytes and macrophages, associated with the inflammation underlying certain autoimmune diseases, including RA. By selectively blocking the CCR1 receptor, CCX354 is designed to reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the joints of RA patients and inhibiting the subsequent joint destruction while minimizing the potential for off-target effects, thus providing a wider therapeutic window than currently approved therapies.

For more information call (650) 210-2900 or visit www.chemocentryx.com.