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RXi Cleared to Begin Phase I Testing of Anti-Scarring Drug

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RXi Pharmaceuticals this week announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the company's investigational new drug application to begin human testing of an RNAi-based drug for scar reduction.

The drug, called RXI-109, uses RXi's so-called self-delivering RNAi technology to inhibit connective tissue growth factor, a protein linked to wound healing and other fibrotic processes. It will be tested in a phase I trial in surgical patients.

As reported by Gene Silencing News, RXi's newly appointed CEO Geert Cauwenbergh previously said that the drug's successful completion of human proof-of-concept studies will be key to the company's revitalization after a major restructuring (GSN 5/17/2012).

The Scan

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