Ligand Initiates Phase II Trial With LGD-4665 In Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

San Diego, CA - Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated recently announced that it has initiated a Phase II study of its small-molecule thrombopoietin (TPO) mimetic, LGD-4665. The 24 patient, double-blind placebo-controlled trial is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LGD-4665 in adult patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) over six weeks of treatment.

LGD-4665 was found to be safe and well tolerated in a Phase I study in healthy human volunteers that was completed in the fourth quarter of 2007. Statistically significant platelet increases were observed with both single and multiple daily dose regimens.

"Initiation of this Phase II trial represents an important milestone in the continued development of LGD-4665. We are pleased to advance another Ligand molecule into studies for the treatment of an important medical disease. We plan to initiate additional clinical studies with LGD-4665 this year," said John L. Higgins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ligand Pharmaceuticals. "Our TPO drug program is focused on developing LGD-4665 for multiple indications as well as advancing clinically distinctive next generation molecules. We were also pleased to see that the March 2008 edition of R&D Directions magazine listed LGD-4665 among its ‘100 Great Investigational Drugs.'"

SOURCE: Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated