FDA clears Neose's anemia drug for trials

HORSHAM, Pa., March 15 (UPI) -- Neose said Thursday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared NE-180, a potential anemia treatment, for clinical trials.

Neose is developing NE-180, a glycopegylated erythropoietin, for treatment of anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and for anemia associated with chronic kidney disease, including patients on dialysis and those not on dialysis.

"We are pleased to come off clinical hold with the FDA," said George Vergis, Neose's president and CEO. "This clearance provides us the opportunity to include the United States in our global drug development program for NE-180."

The drug is currently in a phase 2 trial for cancer-related anemia in Switzerland.