RxTrials Institute Drug Pipeline Alert

CombinatoRx announced the termination of its CRx-150 program for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after data showed that it had no effect on C-reactive protein (CRP).

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein and marker of systemic inflammation. A relationship between inflammatory processes and elevation of CRP has been established in a number of immuno-inflammatory diseases, including RA.

The trial compared CRx-150 plus a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) with placebo plus DMARD (control) in subjects with active RA, CombinatoRx said.

According to the company, CRx-150 was generally well-tolerated. The most common adverse events in the CRx-150-treated group included headache, nausea and the anti-cholinergic side effects typically associated with tricyclic antidepressants such as amoxapine.