ASPREVA BEGINS TRIAL IN RARE NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE

Aspreva Pharmaceuticals has completed enrolment of 176 patients with myasthenia gravis in a Phase III clinical study evaluating its drug, MMF.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MMF to maintain or improve symptom control with reduced corticosteroids in patients with myasthenia gravis over a treatment period of 36 weeks. The primary endpoint of responder status in the trial encompasses both minimal disease activity and low steroid dose. The company expects to complete the trial in late 2006.