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www.fdanews.com/articles/81042-celera-genomics-initiates-phase-i-psoriasis-trial

CELERA GENOMICS INITIATES PHASE I PSORIASIS TRIAL

September 20, 2005

Celera Genomics has begun Phase I clinical testing for its cathepsin S inhibitor, CRA-028129, for the treatment of psoriasis. In the trial, healthy volunteers will be randomized to receive orally-administered CRA-028129 or placebo. The dose amount and number of days of dosing will be escalated in sequential cohorts of study subjects in order to characterize the pharmacokinetic and maximum pharmacodynamic effects of CRA-028129. Approximately 70 subjects will be enrolled in this study.

Cathepsin S is a cysteine protease that is expressed in certain antigen presenting cells and has been implicated in the presentation of antigens to CD4+ T-cells. Inhibition of cathepsin S may reduce antigen presentation within certain antigen presenting cells and may therefore have a beneficial effect in the treatment of psoriasis.