Avidex has announced the appointment of Ultrafine to provide process development, scale-up and GMP manufacturing for Avidex's lead compound, the CD80 inhibitor, RhuDex
Avidex has announced the appointment of Ultrafine to provide process development, scale-up and GMP manufacturing for Avidex's lead compound, the CD80 inhibitor, RhuDex.
RhuDex is Avidex's orally available small molecule drug, indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
RhuDex addresses the underlying disease-causing mechanism of RA; it acts in a very specific manner on a clearly defined target, CD80, and aims to avoid some of the side effects of current therapies.
Ultrafine will initially undertake process development and scale-up to produce sufficient quantities of RhuDex to enable Avidex to complete its pre-clinical studies.
The next phase of the development programme will involve manufacture by Ultrafine of RhuDex to GMP standard for clinical trials planned to start early in 2005.
James Noble, CEO of Avidex said, "We are continuing to make very good progress with the RhuDex programme. "Ultrafine impressed us with its abilities and experience in small molecule development and manufacture.
"We are therefore very pleased to announce that they will undertake this critical part of the RhuDex development and clinical programme. "With their assistance we expect to undertake the first clinical trial of RhuDex in 2005".
Mike Harris, Ultrafine's head of business development added, "Ultrafine is delighted to partner Avidex in its work on this revolutionary new drug.
"Ultrafine has a highly experienced team and first class facilities that together provide the confidence and reassurance biotech needs".
