PRT062607 is a novel, oral Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (Syk)-specific kinase inhibitor in development to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosis, and certain cancers, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
The Phase 1 multiple ascending dose trial expects to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmcodynamics of oral PRT062607 in 40 healthy individuals.
The trial is expected to be completed in mid-2011.
Portola Pharma Research & Development executive vice president John Curnutte said the goal of Syk-JAK franchise is to develop safe and efficacious oral drugs for rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases and oncology indications.
"The Phase 1 multiple ascending dose study of our oral Syk-specific inhibitor will help us understand the appropriate dose range to explore in patients," Curnutte said.