HemaQuest Initiates Phase I Blood Diseases Trial

HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals has reported that following FDA’s acceptance of its investigational new drug application, it has started a Phase I clinical trial of its orally administered, patented therapeutic, HQK-1001 that is being developed to treat the two most common inherited blood diseases, sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.

The Phase I clinical study is being carried out in healthy volunteers, who will receive increasing doses of HQK-1001 to evaluate its safety and pharmacokinetics in anticipation of future clinical trials in patients with these hemoglobin disorders.

Ronald Berenson, president and CEO of HemaQuest, said: “We are committed to continuing the rapid development path for HQK-1001, which has the potential to be a major advance in treating serious and life-threatening blood disorders.”