PDL ENROLLS FIRST PATIENT IN NUVION TRIAL

PDL BioPharma said Monday it enrolled the first patient in a Phase II/III clinical trial for Nuvion, an antibody being tested to treat severe ulcerative colitis.

The drug is meant to delay surgery in patients whose ulcerative colitis has gotten so severe that other treatments don't work. The disease, which leads to severe diarrhea, can cause dehydration, fever and sometimes requires blood transfusions. Patients in the study will be monitored for up to 36 months.