Ligand platelet drug advances to phase I

The drug specifically mimics the activity of thrombopoietin (TPO), the key hematopoietic growth factor responsible for platelet production. There are currently no approved TPO molecules available but there are both peptides and oral TPO mimetics in late-stage clinical development, including molecules developed by GlaxoSmithKline in collaboration with Ligand.

Thrombocytopenia or low platelet count is a common finding associated with a diverse group of clinical conditions. Current therapeutic options are mostly palliative, including steroids, immunosuppresants, splenectomy and, for the most severe thrombocytopenias, platelet transfusion.

“Potential disease targets under consideration by Ligand for advanced clinical development include idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), myelodysplastic syndrome and leukemia's, platelet dysfunction associated with hepatitis C and chronic liver disease and chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, among others,” said Andres Negro-Vilar, executive vice president, Ligand Pharmaceuticals

LGD 4665 was selected from a group of novel oral TPO mimetics synthesized at Ligand, for which Ligand has retained exclusive worldwide rights.