Phase II Trial Underway of Injectable Drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis

A Phase II study is underway of a new injectable drug treatment for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals announced that it has begun a clinical study for the use of Paxceed (Micellar paclitaxel for injection) in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The multi-center study plans to enroll 50 rheumatoid arthritis patients between the ages of 21 to 70 who have been unsuccessfully treated with at least one disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of Paxceed with respect to the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

"This is an important study for us to determine what role Paxceed may play in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and will help further elucidate the development path of this agent in other autoimmune diseases," said Dr. William L. Hunter, Chairman and CEO of Angiotech.

The primary objective of the study is to assess the effectiveness of treatment as measured by the proportion of patients who show a clinical response of 20 percent improvement in criteria set forth by the American College of Rheumatology.

To achieve this result, patients must have at least 20 percent improvement in tender and swollen joints and must improve by at least 20 percent in three of five remaining measures which include the physician's and patient's assessment of disease activity and the patient's assessment of pain and physical function.

Other sources: Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.