Date: Dec 09, 2013 Source: (
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By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Clinical Trials Week -- Kineta, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the development of immune modulating drugs for critical disease areas, announced that it has enrolled the first subject in a U.S. Phase 1B clinical trial of its lead drug, ShK-186, a novel immune-sparing therapeutic in development for a variety of autoimmune diseases. A successful Phase 1A safety trial was completed in March (see also Kineta, Inc.).
ShK-186 is a selective and potent blocker of the voltage-gated Kv1.3 potassium channel. Originally derived from the toxic tentacles of the sun anemone, Stichodactyla helianthus, ShK-186 is a synthetic peptide with a novel mechanism of action that targets autoimmune diseases without broadly suppressing the immune system. ShK-186 was the first Kv1.3 specific inhibitor advanced into the clinic. Data from preclinical studies and the Phase 1A trial suggest that ShK-186 will have activity across a variety of autoimmune diseases and may be well tolerated.
The study will be conducted in two phases. In the initial stage, healthy volunteers will receive escalating doses of ShK-186 until the maximum tolerated or the biologically effective dose is reached. These volunteers will be randomized to one of four dose levels in a 28-day cycle. The second stage will include up to two dosing cohorts treated at doses selected from the first stage and will evaluate both safety and effect on disease in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Patients enrolled in the trial will be patients refractory to disease modifying drugs and biologics.
"There is a significant unmet medical need for patients with psoriatic arthritis, and ShK-186 represents a potential new therapy for these patients," Charles Magness, Ph.D., President and CEO of Kineta, stated. "Demonstration of drug activity in PsA will provide Kineta with development options to investigate ShK-186 in other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis. We expect clinical results from this study in mid-2014."
Psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, occurs when the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues. This abnormal response causes symptoms such as inflammation in joints and overproduction of skin cells. The market for this disease is expected to double over the next five years.
ShK-186 and its novel mechanism of action have been featured recently in the Scientist and in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Kineta, Inc. is a Seattle-based privately held biotechnology company specializing in clinical advancement of novel drug candidates derived from leading-edge scientific research. Our world-class scientists are pioneers in developing life-changing classes of new drugs designed to be more effective and safer than current medicines. Kineta seeks to improve the lives of millions of people suffering from autoimmune and viral diseases and from severe pain. Our progressive business model focuses on targeting unmet medical needs and rapid achievement of important clinical milestones. For more information on Kineta, Inc., visit our website, www.Kinetabio.com.
Keywords for this news article include: Arthritis, Immunology, Kineta Inc., Joint Diseases, Pre-Trial Research, Autoimmune Diseases, Autoimmune Disorders, Immune System Diseases, Hemic and Immune Systems, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Clinical Trials and Studies.
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