Antibody inflames Arana

Arana Therapeutics (ASX: AAH) has developed a new antibody candidate, ART123, targeted at inflammatory diseases.

Produced using Arana's proprietary technologies, ART123 has demonstrated efficacy in pre-clinical psoriasis models, the company said. It targets the interleukin 12/23 pathway, implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and other inflammatory disorders.

Patents have been filed relating to the drug candidate, and pre-clinical safety studies are expected for 2010.

The company is also preparing for Phase I clinical trials of its age-related macular degeneration (AMD) candidate, PMX53, planned for 2009.

PMX53 is a C5a complement inhibitor and has been tested on animal models of AMD, psoriasis and osteoarthritis.

In addition, the company expects to file an Investigational New Drug application for its lead compound, ART621, a TNF inhibitor, in rheumatoid arthritis in the next month or so, and to commence Phase II trials later this year.

Safety and efficacy data from an ART621 study in psoriasis is expected in the first quarter of 2009.