Arena Initiates Phase 1b Trial for Autoimmune Disease Drug

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  announced the initiation of dosing in an investigational Phase 1b clinical trial of APD334, a novel, oral drug candidate that targets the sphingosine 1-phosphate subtype 1 (S1P1) receptor, to evaluate the compound for the treatment of a number of autoimmune diseases.

This randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled Phase 1b trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of multiple-ascending doses of APD334 in up to 96 healthy adult volunteers.

"We continue to make progress in advancing our novel pipeline of internally discovered drug candidates, and remain committed to our vision of leading the industry in the discovery, development and commercialization of GPCR-directed medicines," said William R. Shanahan, M.D., Arena's Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.