Ph IIa trial of Movetis' M0002 completes enrollment

Belgian biopharmaceutical firm Movetis says that M0002, an orally-active selective V2 vasopressin antagonist for the treatment of ascites, has completed enrollment in a Phase IIa clinical trial.

M0002 is an aquaretic, electrolyte-sparing treatment that promotes the excretion of bodily water without extra loss of sodium. It is currently being studied for the treatment of ascites or accumulation of water in the abdomen of patients with liver cirrhosis as a result of hepatitis C or alcoholism. The agent has the potential to reduce the number of invasive hospital procedures (paracenthesis) currently used to reduce the accumulation of water in the abdomen. Results from the Phase IIa clinical trial are expected to be available at latest by the end of second-quarter 2008.

The firm also noted that M0003, its gastrokinetic drug candidate for pediatric reflux and gastroparesis, has now begun a Phase IIa trial in patients with the latter condition due to report results in 2009.