FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Kadmon Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase I Study of Selective ROCK2 Inhibitor KD025
NEW YORK, NY – February 27, 2012 – Kadmon Corporation, LLC, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase I clinical study of KD025, an orally bioavailable, potent and highly selective inhibitor of ROCK 2 (Rho-associated coiled-coiled kinase 2). ROCK2 is a central effector of a fundamental signaling pathway which serves to modify cell shape and cell migration in response to a variety of stimuli.
The study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of ascending doses of KD025 in healthy volunteers. Kadmon expects to enroll eight healthy subjects in six dose groups. Preclinical studies of ROCK2 function in vivo suggest that a potent and selective inhibitor may have therapeutic applications in a diverse spectrum of diseases, including metabolic syndrome, cancer, autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, by its central effects mediated through inflammation.
“Rho kinase is perhaps the most compelling new target in medicine today, and Kadmon’s work, particularly in the specific inhibition of ROCK2, is the most advanced in this field,” stated Samuel D. Waksal, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Kadmon. “Inhibition of Rho kinase offers the ability to affect a fundamental signaling pathway in cell biology, one that drives a broad spectrum of diseases. Further, inhibition of ROCK2, distinct from ROCK1 or non-specific Rho kinase inhibition, offers potentially far greater pharmacodynamics, safety and efficacy. Kadmon expects to advance a variety of ROCK2-targeted molecules through the clinic, beginning with KD025, targeting a number of significant disease areas.”
“Based on preclinical evidence, the use of KD025 as an inhibitor of ROCK2 suggests potential efficacy in several prevalent diseases, including liver fibrosis as well as certain autoimmune disorders and cancers,” said John Ryan, Ph.D., M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Kadmon. “We look forward to moving quickly into Phase II, disease directed studies once dosing is established.”
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