XBiotech announces first subject enrollment in Phase I trial for Hutrukin

XBiotech has enrolled the first subject in a randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled dose escalation clinical study to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics of Hutrukin. Emergency use of "clot-busting" drugs or mechanical catheters to re-open arteries after a stroke is associated with a phenomenon known as reperfusion injury. Reperfusion injury is where the return of blood supply after removing the clot from the artery results in increased brain injury or death. Hutrukin therapy is intended to be provided immediately prior to the clot-busting procedure, where the drug may reduce inflammatory injury associated with reperfusion. There is currently no drug known to be effective to reduce reperfusion injury. Hutrukin could, therefore, potentially represent a significant advance in the management of stroke patients. The current Phase I study will evaluate three dose levels of Hutrukin for safety and will measure the corresponding blood levels of Hutrukin with increasing doses. Findings will guide dosing and safety expectations for the next phase of studies.