Vertex stops VX-745 development

Vertex was off $5.73 (24%) to $17.74 on Monday on news that it suspended development of its orally active p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, VX-745, which was in Phase II trials for rheumatoid arthritis and myelodysplastic syndrome. The company said that in preclinical studies, high doses of VX-745 produced adverse CNS effects. In preclinical studies, VRTX said that VX-745 was shown to cross from the blood into the CNS. VRTX noted that no neurological side effects have been observed in clinical trials of VX-745. ...