H. Lundbeck A/S has initiated phase I clinical trials with the pharmaceutical candidate Lu AA24493 to investigate safety, tolerability and the pharmacokinetic profile of the compound in patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke.
Lu AA24493 is a novel carbamoylated form of human erythropoietin (EPO) - a modification of EPO that results in loss of haematopoietic effects but maintains the tissue protective effect. These tissue protective effects translate to very positive effects in a number of animal models for neuronal damage including models for cerebral stroke.
"There is a significant medical need for effective treatments within stroke and Lu AA24493 offers a novel approach to a disease with few treatment options today," says Peter Høngaard Andersen, Head of Research at Lundbeck. He continues: "We are very pleased that our scientists have successfully advanced Lu AA24493 to clinical development."
Lu AA24493 was developed as part of the collaboration between H. Lundbeck A/S and Warren Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and it is licensed from Warren Pharmaceuticals under the license agreement that the companies announced in 2002. Under that agreement Lundbeck holds worldwide rights for indications related to the central nervous system.
About Lundbeck
H. Lundbeck A/S is an international pharmaceutical company engaged in the research and development, production, marketing and sale of drugs for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. In 2006, the company's revenue was DKK 9.2 billion (approximately EUR 1.2 billion or USD 1.6 billion). The number of employees is approximately 5,300 globally. For further information, please visit www.lundbeck.com.