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(Sharecast News) - Science and technology investment firm IP Group said on Tuesday that portfolio company Istesso has begun dosing patients in a Phase 2 trial of its lead drug candidate, leramistat, targeting severe muscle loss in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
IP Group said the study, which is randomised and placebocontrolled, will assess whether the treatment can improve muscle quality, repair and function in an area where no approved medicines currently exist.
The FTSE 250-listed firm stated the trial builds on earlier data showing leramistat improved disability, fatigue and biological markers of muscle loss in rheumatoid arthritis, supported by preclinical results demonstrating restored muscle mass and function in disease and ageing models.
Recruitment was said to be under way at Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals in partnership with the NIHR, whose specialist imaging and biopsy facilities will support the programme.
IP Group holds an undiluted 56.5% stake in Istesso.
Chief executive Greg Smith said: "This marks an important inflection point for Istesso as it moves into Phase 2 evaluation of a genuinely novel approach to regenerative medicine.
"The programme is supported by a consistent body of clinical and preclinical data, and we believe the potential to influence underlying tissue repair represents a differentiated and scalable opportunity. Success here would be an important validation of the approach and open up multiple opportunities across large areas of unmet need."
As of 0830 BST, IP Group shares were down 0.45% at 66.20p.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
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