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www.fdanews.com/articles/87069-synta-initiates-trials-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-cvid

SYNTA INITIATES TRIALS FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND CVID

May 24, 2006

Synta Pharmaceuticals has announced that the first patients have been dosed in two separate Phase IIa clinical studies of its lead immunomodulatory compound, apilimod mesylate (STA-5326), in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID).

Apilimod mesylate is a novel, oral, small-molecule compound that selectively inhibits the production of the IL-12 protein family, which includes the cytokines IL-12 and IL-23, important regulators of the immune response implicated in major chronic inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease, RA, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. The IL-12 family has also been shown to be a critical factor in the pathogenesis of the gastrointestinal (GI) complications of CVID.