Phytopharm begins PD study with oral Cogane

UK drugmaker Phytopharm has started a safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic study of its orally-active neurotrophic factor inducer  Cogane (PYM50028), which will involve both healthy volunteers and  patients with Parkinson's disease.

The part residential, part out-patient, randomized, double-blind,  multiple ascending-dose, placebo-controlled study will evaluate the  safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile of a new oral solution  formulation of Cogane when taken for up to 28 days at various dose  levels. In total, 18 healthy men and women volunteers and up to 18 male  and female patients with PD are planned to be enrolled with doses being  escalated sequentially following a safety review at each level. Dosing  of the first group of subjects has commenced with enrolment expected  to be completed in the third quarter and the results reported by the  end of the year.