SAN DIEGO, Oct. 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Receptos, Inc. (Nasdaq:RCPT), a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutic candidates for the treatment of immune and metabolic diseases, today announced that the first patient has been treated in a Phase 2 trial of RPC4046, Receptos' development candidate for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). RPC4046 is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against interleukin-13 (IL-13), a target which has been validated in other related allergic indications.
"This is a major step in the development program for RPC4046," said Faheem Hasnain, President and Chief Executive Officer of Receptos. "This is a disease of increasing prevalence and diagnosis for which there are no FDA-approved therapies. If we are successful in developing RPC4046, this would be a significant advancement in the treatment of EoE patients."
Receptos has a development license and option agreement with AbbVie, Inc. to conduct a proof-of-concept clinical study with RPC4046 in EoE. Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie holds an exclusive option to enter into a global co-development collaboration for RPC4046 with Receptos following results from the Phase 2 study and regulatory discussions with the FDA. Should AbbVie decline to exercise its co-development option, Receptos would obtain a worldwide exclusive commercial license to all indications for RPC4046.
About Receptos
Receptos is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutic candidates for the treatment of immune and metabolic diseases. The Company's lead program, RPC1063, is a sphingosine 1-phosphate 1 receptor (S1P1R) small molecule modulator candidate for immune indications, including relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Company is also developing RPC4046, an anti-interleukin-13 (IL-13) antibody for an allergic/immune-mediated orphan disease, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
About RPC4046
RPC4046 is a monoclonal antibody currently being studied for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). EoE is a chronic immune-mediated disease that has been increasingly recognized by the medical community with a dramatic rise in its incidence and diagnosis. EoE may be triggered by a variety of stimuli including certain foods and environmental allergens. People with EoE commonly have other allergic conditions and may experience symptoms for months or years prior to diagnosis. EoE is typically associated with symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction, including food impaction and difficulty swallowing, which can have a profound impact on quality of life. While eliminating certain foods from diets may help some patients, there are no FDA-approved therapies. RPC4046 is directed against the interleukin-13 (IL-13) target, which has been validated in other allergy-related disorders including asthma. Receptos began enrollment of a randomized Phase 2 trial in the second half of 2014.
Forward-Looking Statements
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements in this release regarding RPC4046 as a potential treatment for EoE constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements are based upon Receptos' current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include without limitation risks associated with the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drug candidates that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics. These and other risks regarding Receptos' financial position and research and development programs are described in detail in its SEC filings, including Receptos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date on which they were first made, and Receptos undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after such date.