Icagen Completes Phase I Study of Asthma Drug

Icagen has successfully completed the Phase I multiple ascending dose clinical trial of senicapoc, a novel orally available small molecule inhibitor of the KCa3.1 potassium ion channel, which is being developed for the treatment of asthma.

The study results showed that senicapoc was well tolerated at all doses tested and in preliminary analyses exhibited predictable and dose proportional pharmacokinetics consistent with once-daily dosing. Additionally, there were no dose-limiting toxicities in any subject.

The company expects to initiate a Phase II proof-of-concept clinical trial in asthma during the second half of 2008. The initial Phase II proof-of-concept study is expected to be conducted in patients with allergen induced asthma.

The company expects to enroll approximately subjects in a short-duration study to examine the effect of senicapoc upon certain pulmonary function parameters following exposure of asthmatic patients to a known antigen. The study will be conducted at selected sites in the UK.