Wyeth Initiates Phase II Study In RA Patients

Ablynx under the terms of its collaboration with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, has reached a second milestone. A milestone payment of $4m has been triggered by the initiation by Wyeth of a first phase II multiple dose study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for a Nanobody targeting tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha).

After the successful completion of phase I study in healthy volunteers in the US and Japan, Wyeth has initiated a multiple dose phase II study in RA patients, the company reported.

Earlier in November 2006, Ablynx has entered into a research collaboration and license agreement with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a deal worth $212.5m for the development and commercialisation of multiple products.

Under the agreement, Ablynx is eligible to receive royalties on product sales. Wyeth has exclusive rights to develop and commercialise anti-TNF-alpha Nanobodies developed under the collaboration.

Dr Edwin Moses, chairman and CEO of Ablynx, said: “After a successful phase I study in healthy volunteers in the USA and Japan, we are delighted that Wyeth has progressed the TNF-alpha programme into a phase II study in patients with RA. Therapeutics targeting TNF-alpha generated $16.8 billion in sales in 2008, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals is well positioned with its Enbrel franchise to progress this Nanobody programme towards the market and create another great success.”