ChemoCentryx Begins Phase 2 Clinical Trial For CCX354

ChemoCentryx has initiated patient enrollment in a Phase 2 clinical trial of CCX354, an orally-bioavailable, small molecule drug, designed to specifically target the CCR1 chemokine receptor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

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.

The company said that CCX354 is designed to reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the joints of RA patients and inhibiting the subsequent joint destruction while minimising the potential for off-target effects, thus providing a wider therapeutic window than currently approved therapies.

Reportedly, the successful completion of single and multiple ascending dose Phase 1 studies in healthy volunteers showed that CCX354 was safe and well-tolerated.

Thomas Schall, president and CEO of ChemoCentryx, said: “Initiation of a Phase 2 clinical development program for CCX354 marks yet another important milestone for ChemoCentryx and represents an opportunity to thoroughly evaluate a new mechanism of action for the potential treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

“We believe our CCR1 antagonist is surpassing the properties of previous molecules in this space, particularly in its ability to continuously cover the disease target, the CCR1 receptor. This study builds on our recent clinical success of demonstrating efficacy for Traficet-EN, a drug which targets another chemokine receptor, in patients suffering from Crohn’s disease. We believe that CCX354 has the ability to become an effective drug for the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases with an initial focus on RA.”