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news.Vitae Pharmaceuticals has initiated phase II clinical studies with its investigational candidates VTP-201227 for the treatment of psoriasis and VTP-195183 to enhance immune cell levels in specific cancer treatments.
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The first phase II clinical compound, VTP-201227, has a novel mechanism of action and is being developed as a topical agent for the treatment of psoriasis with potential extensions into other dermatological indications. The phase II trial is designed to include 128 psoriasis patients at 16 study sites in the US.
VTP-201227 is a potent, selective inhibitor of two specific enzymes that are active in the skin. Therapeutic targeting of these enzymes by VTP-201227 promotes naturally-occurring healing processes within the skin. The compound has been designed to be rapidly inactivated in systemic circulation and thus has the potential to have a more favorable safety profile. In preclinical animal models, VTP-201227 was shown to exhibit a superior therapeutic index compared to other topical dermatology drugs.
The second phase II clinical compound, VTP-195183, is being studied in combination with other therapies for its potential to boost the levels of infection-fighting white blood cells in certain oncologic conditions. Vitae advanced the clinical program for this compound and initiated a phase II clinical trial in October.
VTP-195183 is a novel subtype-specific nuclear receptor agonist that has been shown to be generally safe and well tolerated in cancer patients in phase I studies. The phase II clinical trial of VTP-195183 is being conducted outside of the US.
“We now have significant development efforts in three major disease areas, including oncology, dermatology and hypertension,” said Jeffrey Hatfield, CEO of Vitae Pharmaceuticals.