Dr Reddy, Argenta Discovery achieve breakthrough

New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) Drug maker Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd and the respiratory drug discovery and development company Argenta Discovery Ltd announced a novel disease-modifying approach to treat the underlying cause of certain chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe asthma.

''With GMP material already manufactured we are on target to enter Phase I in mid-2008 and Phase II in 2009. We believe we are first-in-class for this inhaled anti-inflammatory approach to treat chronic respiratory disease,'' Argenta Discovery Ltd Chief Executive Officer Christopher Ashton said.

Under the terms of the licensing agreement announced in February 2006, Argenta and the company are collaborating to identify clinical candidates against an undisclosed but proven anti-inflammatory drug target and to develop these candidates to Phase II proof-of-concept.

''The programme is also likely to deliver high quality back-up candidates in the near future, which is testament to the overall strength and depth of the approach. This rapid progress towards the clinic is further validation that Argenta's innovative 'fast forward' strategy for the rapid development of new respiratory medicines against well validated, precedented drug targets has achieved significant momentum,'' Dr Ashton added.

UNI