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news.Rigel Pharmaceuticals has initiated a phase I trial for its investigational drug R788 in rheumatoid arthritis, and has also filed a new drug application for R763 being developed to treat cancer.
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The rheumatoid arthritis trial will evaluate R788 in combination with methotrexate a commonly used treatment for the disease. R788 is a novel, oral syk kinase inhibitor that blocks the activation of mast cells, macrophages and B cells that promote swelling and an inflammatory response.
Meanwhile, the anticancer candidate, R763, is being developed as part of an aurora kinase collaboration with biotech firm, Serono. Serono is responsible for the further development and commercialization of R763, as well as any other product candidates arising from Rigel’s aurora kinase inhibitor program.
R763 has been shown in tumor xenograft models to inhibit proliferation and trigger apoptosis in several tumor cell lines including the cervix, colon, lung, pancreas, and prostate.
“Our clinical and research programs continue to progress and we remain committed to our goal of initiating clinical trials with at least one new product candidate each year,” said James Gower, chairman and CEO of Rigel.