Vertex Pharmaceuticals has initiated a Phase I clinical study for VX-770, a novel, oral drug candidate that specifically targets a key mechanism underlying cystic fibrosis (CF).

The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of escalating single and multiple doses of VX-770 in healthy volunteers, and also will evaluate single doses of VX-770 in patients with CF. The study is expected to enroll more than 50 individuals.