Opexa launches phase 2b trial of MS drug

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Opexa said Monday it has begun a U.S. phase 2b study of Tovaxin T Cell vaccine for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

The company said the trial will span 35 clinical sites and would enroll 150 patients, beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.

The study will assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Tovaxin T Cell vaccination in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and with relapsing-remitting MS.

In the one-year trial, 100 patients will get five injections of Tovaxin at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks, with the remaining 50 subjects receiving placebo.

Opexa said that earlier phase 1 and 2 testing of the new treatment showed a 90-percent reduction in rate of MS relapse.