Genzyme Begins Phase II Gene Transfer Trial for Peripheral Arterial Disease

Genzyme has announced that the first patient has been treated in a Phase II clinical trial examining the safety and effectiveness of locally delivered gene transfer for patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Genzyme's experimental therapy, using Ad2/HIF-1 alpha, an engineered form of the HIF-1 alpha gene, is designed to promote the growth of new blood vessels and improve circulation in patients' limbs.

The trial will take place at up to 35 medical centers in the U.S. and Europe. It will enroll up to 300 patients diagnosed with severe intermittent claudication, a type of peripheral arterial disease that results in disabling pain or fatigue in the legs, brought on by exercise. Plans are to enroll 75 patients each into one of three dosing groups or a placebo arm. Participants will receive either Ad2/HIF-1 alpha or placebo through a series of injections into the limbs.

In addition to safety, the trial will evaluate the effectiveness of each dose in several measures of efficacy. The primary endpoint is change in the maximum amount of time a patient can walk on a treadmill without stopping because of claudication symptoms. Other endpoints include the amount of time it takes while walking for the onset of claudication pain; change in blood flow to the limbs, as measured using the ankle-brachial index; and various quality-of-life assessments. The primary endpoint will be evaluated at six months, and study participants will be followed for two years.