Charlotte-based Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd., recently announced positive results from a preclinical trial of the compound CH-4051 to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
CH-4051 is the second compound from Chelsea's portfolio of metabolically inert antifolates, compounds with potent anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. These compounds are engineered to treat a broad range of immunological disorders with fewer harmful and unpleasant side effects typically associated with classical antifolates.
The 17-day preclinical study was designed to test the efficacy of CH-4051 in a rat collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. The study positively resulted in delaying the onset of the disease, significantly decreasing the severity and, at certain doses, completely blocking all development of RA.
Dr. Simon Pedder, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Having already initiated our human Phase II proof-of-concept trial of CH-1504 in RA, we are pleased to now begin the process of validating the potency of additional compounds in this portfolio. This new data further supports the activity previously demonstrated by CH-1504 in a pilot human study and underscores the promise of our full portfolio of metabolically inert antifolates."
Dr. Pedder presented the results from this study at the BioCentury Future Leaders Industry Conference on March 27.