Ligand Initiates Phase II Trial with LGD-4665 in Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) today announced that it has initiated a Phase II study of its small-molecule thrombopoietin (TPO) mimetic, LGD-4665. The 24 patient, double-blind placebo-controlled trial is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LGD-4665 in adult patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) over six weeks of treatment.
LGD-4665 was found to be safe and well tolerated in a Phase I study in healthy human volunteers that was completed in the fourth quarter of 2007. Statistically significant platelet increases were observed with both single and multiple daily dose regimens.
“Initiation of this Phase II trial represents an important milestone in the continued development of LGD-4665. We are pleased to advance another Ligand molecule into studies for the treatment of an important medical disease. We plan to initiate additional clinical studies with LGD-4665 this year,” said John L. Higgins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ligand Pharmaceuticals. “Our TPO drug program is focused on developing LGD-4665 for multiple indications as well as advancing clinically distinctive next generation molecules. We were also pleased to see that the March 2008 edition of R&D Directions magazine listed LGD-4665 among its ‘100 Great Investigational Drugs.’”
About Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
ITP is a bleeding disorder characterized by increased autoimmune platelet destruction and/or inadequate platelet production. The cause of the disease is currently unknown. Some patients with ITP are asymptomatic or have mild bruising in skin or mucosa, while others develop mucosal or central organ bleeding that can become severe. There are approximately 50,000 to 100,000 chronic ITP patients in the U.S. A similar patient population exists in the European Union.
About Ligand Pharmaceuticals
Ligand discovers and develops new drugs that address critical unmet medical needs of patients in the areas of thrombocytopenia, cancer, hepatitis C, hormone-related diseases, osteoporosis and inflammatory diseases. Ligand's proprietary drug discovery and development programs are based on its leadership position in gene transcription technology.