RxTrials Institute Drug Pipeline Alert

VIA Pharmaceuticals has completed patient enrollment in its carotid endarterectomy (CEA) study, the first of three Phase II trials investigating VIA-2291, a small molecule drug that targets inflammation in the blood vessel wall.

VIA-2291 is being developed as a once-daily drug to decrease the risk of cardiac events associated with inflammation, including heart attack and stroke.

The study has enrolled 50 patients and will evaluate VIA-2291’s effect on inflammation by analyzing plaque removed from the carotid arteries via CEA in patients treated with VIA-2291 or placebo. CEA is a surgical procedure to remove plaque from the carotid artery.

VIA said it expects to present top-line results in the third quarter of the year.