CCR1 Program

We plan to initiate a Phase I clinical trial for our CCX354 product candidate, which targets the CCR1 chemokine receptor. Targeting the CCR1 chemokine receptor represents a new approach for the treatment of RA. Synovial fluid from the joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients contains high levels of CCR1 ligands. Blocking CCR1 is intended to suppress the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the arthritic joint space by reducing the inflammatory process and preventing subsequent joint destruction.

Based on our understanding of the biology of CCR1, we do not expect CCX354 to have the global immunosuppressive effects that have been observed with many other RA drugs, and we believe that CCX354 will have significant advantages over existing injectable biologics and other broad-spectrum immunosuppressive agents currently used to treat RA.

Preclinical data suggest that CCX354 selectively inhibits CCR1-mediated migration of monocytes and does not inhibit migration of immune cells mediated by other chemokine receptors, even when the compound is given at high concentrations. We believe that this high degree of target specificity is an important safety feature that may allow CCX354 to be effective while avoiding unwanted side effects.

We expect to initiate a Phase I single-dose escalation clinical trial of CCX354 to assess its pharmacokinetic profile. This will help us to determine an optimal dosing regimen. Based on the safety and tolerability of CCX354 in the single-dose clinical trial described above, a study will be initiated in healthy volunteers to determine the safety and tolerability of multiple doses of CCX354. Following our safety and pharmacokinetic trials of CCX354 in healthy volunteers, we plan to initiate safety and efficacy trials of CCX354 in patients with RA.

^ Return to Top