The safety and efficacy study will evaluate Merrimack’s lead product MM-093, a recombinant version of human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).
The placebo controlled study will enroll approximately 30 adult outpatients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Participants will receive double blind treatment for 12 weeks, with a follow up period of 6 weeks after the last dose.
“In 2004, we did a similar pilot study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis which has led to a well powered, dose ranging, phase IIb study in approximately 240 patients with RA,” said Dr Brian Hamilton, vice president of clinical and regulatory affairs.
Dr Hamilton continued: “Likewise, we anticipate that data from this study will be used to design a large phase IIb study in patients with psoriasis. The development of MM-093 is currently focused on diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis; areas in which published and proprietary preclinical data provide a compelling rationale for its use, and in which significant unmet medical needs still exist.”
The study is being conducted at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, with Dr Gerald Krueger as the principle investigator and at the Texas Dermatology Research Institute in Dallas, TX with Dr Alan Menter as the principle investigator.