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Altair Therapeutics Announces Commencement of a Multi-Center Phase IIa Clinical Trial of Inhaled AIR645 to Treat Asthma

Thursday, November 19, 2009

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SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Altair Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held, biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for respiratory diseases, today announced the commencement of its IL-4 receptor alpha inhibitor bronchoprovocation trial. Study AIR645-CS2 is a phase 2, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of inhaled AIR645 in suppressing the asthmatic response in subjects with mild asthma. Results are expected in the third quarter of 2010.

“The data from preclinical and phase I studies of AIR645 have been very promising, showing that AIR645 has good safety and pharmacokinetic profiles,” said Michael Hodges, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for Altair Therapeutics. “The favorable biomarker data and target (IL-4 receptor alpha mRNA) reduction demonstrated in the phase 1 study suggest that AIR645 will show good efficacy in this next study.”

Allergen bronchoprovocation tests are well-standardized and can offer key information about the therapeutic potential of new agents and their anti-inflammatory effects on the airways in shorter-term clinical studies. “The evaluation of AIR645 in this study will provide important information on the drug’s potential to improve lung function and to reduce airway inflammation” said Professor Paul O’ Byrne M.D., Chair, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario and primary investigator for the AIR645-CS2 study.

“The initiation of this phase 2 trial is a key milestone for Altair Therapeutics and the development of AIR645 as a new, safe and effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory control medication for asthma,” said Susan Gregory, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Cofounder of Altair Therapeutics. “We look forward eagerly to the results of this study, and to ultimately providing improved treatment for asthmatic patients worldwide.”

More information on this trial may be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About AIR645

AIR645 is a dual inhibitor of IL-4 and IL-13, pro-inflammatory cytokines which are implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma, allergic rhinitis and other inflammatory disorders. AIR645 is a 2'-O-methoxyethyl second-generation antisense drug targeting the mRNA that encodes the alpha subunit of the human IL-4 receptor (IL-4Rα). IL-4Rα is the signaling chain that is shared by the IL-4 and IL-13 receptors and is required for cellular responses to IL-4 and IL-13. AIR645 has the potential for less frequent administration with improved local and systemic safety. AIR645 was discovered by Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISIS) and licensed to Altair Therapeutics.

About Altair Therapeutics

Based in San Diego, Altair Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat human respiratory diseases. Altair Therapeutics’ lead product is AIR645, the first in a new class of inhaled drugs that incorporate proprietary, second-generation antisense chemistry. www.altairthera.com

Source: BUSINESS WIRE