BOULDER, Colo. – Array BioPharma Inc announced the initiation of a phase I clinical trial in the US for its proprietary small-molecule novel MEK inhibitor, ARRY-438162, for the treatment of inflammatory disease.
Well-tolerated and efficacious in various preclinical models of human diseases driven by inflammatory growth factors like tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1, and IL-6, ARRY-438162 is a potent and selective inhibitor in enzyme and cellular systems. ARRY-438162 will be evaluated in dose escalation studies in normal, healthy volunteers
"Advancing ARRY-438162, the first MEK inhibitor specifically developed for the treatment of inflammatory disease, into clinical trials is a significant achievement for Array and further demonstrates our ability to invent novel therapies," said President and Chief Scientific Officer Kevin Koch, PhD. "Our goal is to continue building an impressive clinical pipeline of novel small-molecule drugs, driving Array's future growth."
MEK is a protein kinase that regulates both the biosynthesis of and response to a number of growth factors driving the uncontrolled inflammation associated with many human diseases. Array scientists have discovered multiple series of MEK inhibitors that selectively interfere with these critical disease processes. The company's first MEK inhibitor, ARRY-142886, was licensed to AstraZeneca AB for cancer and is currently in clinical development.
Array BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of orally active drugs to address significant unmet medical needs.
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