RxTrials Institute Drug Pipeline Alert

Medgenics received encouraging preliminary findings for a Phase I/II clinical trial of its Epodure Biopump in subjects with chronic kidney disease.

The trial is assessing the safety and efficacy of the pump’s ability to provide sustained elevation of hemoglobin by delivering supplemental amounts of the protein erythropoietin for three to six months.

Initial results indicate that hemoglobin levels of treated subjects have risen and remain within the target range between 10 and 12 grams per deciliter for one month. No adverse effects were reported besides minor localized bruising typically associated with skin biopsy and implant, the company said.