Rebounding with CCR(2)

Several companies are pursuing chemokine co-receptor 2 antagonists for immune-related diseases, but it has been difficult to develop safe and effective inhibitors. Pfizer Inc. has put its chips down for Incyte Corp.'s portfolio of CCR2 antagonists. For INCY, the news may be just the beginning of what could be a busy year ahead, as the company hopes to move five internal products into the clinic to join an in-licensed Phase II HIV candidate.

Positive news flow would be a breath of fresh air following September's news that FDA wants INCY to run an additional Phase II trial of dexelvucitabine (formerly Reverset) before starting Phase III testing in HIV (see BioCentury, Oct. 3)...