Logical Therapeutics Inc. Commences Double-Blind, Randomized Study Of Their Lead Program, LT-NS001

Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Also Included In: Pain / Anesthetics;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 09 Sep 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Logical Therapeutics, Inc., announced the commencement of its double-blind, randomized, active-controlled, multinational study of LT-NS001, a novel prodrug, which is converted in the bloodstream to naproxen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs are the most common medications taken worldwide for the treatment of pain, inflammation, fever and arthritis, including both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).

"Despite a long history of successfully treating patients for pain and inflammation, NSAIDs have limitations that restrict their use. Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects are a significant safety problem," said Lutz Giebel, Chairman of Logical Therapeutics. Published studies have shown that NSAID use is responsible for 15-60% of hospital admissions for GI bleeding, amounting to approximately 100,000 hospitalizations and 10,000-20,000 deaths annually in the US. "A safer alternative would fulfill a significant unmet medical need," Dr. Giebel went on to say.

In pre-clinical studies in rats and dogs, LT-NS001 was shown to cause significantly less damage to the gastrointestinal tract than equivalent doses of naproxen. The study will assess gastrointestinal injury by endoscopy after 7 days of therapy. LT-NS001 was previously evaluated in two Phase 1 randomized, placebo-controlled, single-dose and multiple-dose pharmacokinetic studies. In all cases, LT-NS001 was well tolerated. Moreover, when the subjects were dosed twice daily with LT-NS001, plasma concentrations of naproxen were within the therapeutic range.

The Company also announced the departure of founding CEO, Dr. Mitchell P. Fink, who resigned to pursue other interests.

About Logical Therapeutics Inc

Logical Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company based in Waltham, Massachusetts. Logical Therapeutics is developing drugs to treat a variety of medical conditions that are associated with excessive inflammation, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Logical Therapeutics, Inc
http://www.logicaltherapeutics.com

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