Archemix initiates Phase II trial of anti-platelet agent

The trial is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ARC1779 as a first-in-class anti-platelet agent in patients suffering from life-threatening blood disorder known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

This Phase II trial of ARC1779 in TTP is being conducted at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria and will assess the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of ARC1779 in approximately 28 patients with vWF-mediated platelet function disorders, including acute TTP.

Bernd Jilma of the University of Vienna, said: “This Phase II trial is a unique opportunity to characterize the pharmacodynamic effects of ARC1779 with respect to its fundamental mechanism of action in patients with a spectrum of vWF-related platelet function disorders. This trial will also assess the safety of ARC1779 in critically ill patients with acute TTP, and it will teach us how to optimize the regimen for administration of ARC1779 in such patients who are undergoing plasma exchange therapy, the current mainstay of treatment for TTP.”