By Doug Macron
Spanish RNAi drug shop Sylentis expects to dose the first patient in a phase I study of its glaucoma-associated ocular hypertension drug SYL040012 in Spain around the end of September, a company official confirmed to RNAi News this week.
The disclosure comes about a month after the company announced that it had received clearance from Spanish regulators to begin the trial, in line with its previously disclosed guidance (see RNAi News, 2/19/2009).
SYL040012 is an siRNA targeted against adrenergic receptor beta-2 and has demonstrated the ability to both reduce intraocular pressure and prevent glaucoma in animal models, according to the company. The trial will examine the drug’s safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers.