HAMBURG, Germany, March 22 (UPI) -- German firm Evotec said Thursday it initiated a phase 1 trial of EVT 302, a potential smoking cessation drug.
EVT 302, which Evotec in-licensed from Roche, is a selective and reversible inhibitor of the monoamine oxidase B enzyme, or MAO-B.
The phase 1 trial is intended to access the occupancy of MAO-B in brain after administration of single oral doses of EVT 302 to help determine the therapeutic dose range for future clinical trials.
Evotec said it plans to start additional phase 1 trials during the first half of this year. If these are positive, the company anticipates beginning a phase 2 trial in mid-2008.
Roche conducted an ascending dose study of EVT 302 and found it was safe and well tolerated. The study also indicated the compound's pharmacokinetic properties may allow it to be dosed once per week.
