BIOLEX COMPLETES STUDY OF BLX-883

Biolex Therapeutics has announced the successful completion of a Phase I clinical trial of BLX-883, a form of alfa interferon. BLX-883 is the company's clinical-stage therapeutic candidate.

In the study, BLX-883 was safely administered at a clinically relevant dose and demonstrated bioactivity consistent with Intron A, a currently marketed alfa interferon used as a comparator. Alfa interferon is used in the treatment of hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and multiple cancers.

The study was designed to evaluate the safety and pharmacology of BLX-883 in 24 healthy volunteers. Participants were administered one of three doses of BLX-883. The 12 participants who received the clinically relevant dose of 3 million international units also received the same dose of Intron A to allow for a direct comparison of the two agents. No safety concerns arose during the study, and the side-effects attributable to BLX-883 and Intron A were comparable. Bioactivity of the two agents was also compared, and the elevation of specific immune system markers, such as neopterin, measured after administration of BLX-883 was consistent to the elevation measured after administration of Intron A.