ChemoCentryx Releases Phase III SHIELD 4 Clinical Results In Patients With Crohn's Disease

ChemoCentryx, Inc.,

, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders and cancer, today reported data from the Phase III SHIELD 4 clinical trial in Crohn's disease with vercirnon, an inhibitor of the chemokine receptor known as CCR9. Data showed that patients experienced improved response and remission rates when taking a higher dose of vercirnon (500 mg twice daily (BID) vs. 500 mg once daily (QD)). There was no evidence of higher gastrointestinal, hepatic, or cardiovascular adverse events with the twice daily group compared to the once daily group. Data were presented at the 79th American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting being held in Philadelphia, Pa. from October 17-22. "These SHIELD 4 data are consistent with our earlier positive PROTECT-1 study data," said Thomas J. Schall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, ChemoCentryx. "As with PROTECT-1, the data indicate that vercirnon is safe and well tolerated in patients with Crohn's disease, and there is a dose-dependent improvement in symptoms in the observed patient population in SHIELD 4. The Phase III drug CCX282/vercirnon, in addition to our second-generation, Phase II-ready CCR9 inhibitor, CCX507, provide a strong complement of drugs in our CCR9 program for which we intend to find a strategic partner."