Arch Biopartners (ARCH.V) will expand its Phase II trial of LSALT peptide into the US, with five institutions expressing interest, the company said on Tuesday.
The trial is a placebo-controlled study of the company's lead drug candidate, LSALT peptide, for the treatment of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI). It has a recruitment target of 240 patients.
The US expansion builds on progress at the four Canadian clinical sites already in the trial and patient data collected from the five sites in Turkey. No adverse events related to the study drug have been reported, a statement said.
Arch Biopartners said it will also enrol an additional Canadian site.
"We are seeing strong interest from American clinicians to join our CS-AKI trial for LSALT peptide to protect patients from cardiac surgery-related acute kidney injury. Establishing a US arm of the study will increase awareness of LSALT peptide and our Phase II trial among kidney care specialists, the pharmaceutical industry and potential partners," said Chief Executive Officer Richard Muruve.
Arch Biopartners shares were last seen down C$0.07 a C$1.10 on the TSX Venture Exchange.
Price: $1.10, Change: $-0.07, Percent Change: -5.98%