BioCentury
ARTICLE | Company News

GSK returns remaining ChemoCentryx programs

December 4, 2013 1:17 AM UTC

ChemoCentryx Inc. (NASDAQ:CCXI) said GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK) declined to exercise its option for CCX168, a small molecule complement receptor 5a (C5aR; CD88) inhibitor in the Phase II CLEAR trial for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated renal vasculitis. ChemoCentryx reported top-line data from the trial on Tuesday showing twice-daily CCX168 successfully led to both reduction and elimination of high-dose corticosteroid use -- part of standard of care -- during treatment of patients experiencing a renal disease flare. The trial enrolled 26 patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed ANCA-associated renal vasculitis who were receiving background therapy with 15 mg/kg IV cyclophosphamide. The company said it plans either to expand the CLEAR trial or start a Phase III trial next year, pending discussions with FDA.

ChemoCentryx said GSK also returned rights to CCX354, a CC chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) antagonist that has completed Phase II testing for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). GSK exercised an option to license rights to CCX354 last year, but ChemoCentryx said the pharma did not conduct any further clinical development of the compound. ChemoCentryx did not disclose plans for the compound in time for publication, but the company said it has identified a "more potent" next-generation series of CCR1 inhibitors. GSK said data for CCX354 and CCX168 did not meet the pharma's "desired target profile to progress development." ...