RhuDex^®

Orally available therapy for rheumatoid arthritis
RhuDex^® targets one of the most common diseases: rheumatoid arthritis. T-cell activation is pivotal in the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. It is triggered by interaction between specific proteins on immune cell surfaces. The CD80 protein plays a key role in this process. Its interaction with the CD28 protein, a receptor on the surface of T cells, is an essential step in T-cell activation. RhuDex^® can bind to CD80, preventing the interaction with CD28, and thereby interrupt an important signaling pathway. Since RhuDex^® is the first orally available drug candidate of this type, it would be excellently positioned to compete in this billion-euro market.

Following the successful completion of a clinical phase IIa trial with 29 patients, a clinical phase I trial of RhuDex^® in a newly developed formulation as a tablet was conducted in the first half of 2008. This trial was put on hold in July 2008, after a trial participant had died of myocardial infarction. The autopsy revealed severe impairment of cardiac function of the volunteer. For safety reasons, however, the company proceeded to test RhuDex™ in a series of further laboratory studies in coordination with the MHRA. These tests did not indicate any negative effects of RhuDex^® on the vascular system.