RDEA806 Advances To Phase 2a Trial For Gout

Gout is a form of arthrtitis. It is called metabolic arthritis and is caused by the build-up of uric acid in the body.

Gout is condition that results from crystals of uric acid depositing in tissues of the body. Gout is characterized by an overload of uric acid in the body and recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis). Chronic gout can lead to deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints, decreased kidney function, and kidney stones.

Gout has the unique distinction of being one of the most frequently recorded medical illnesses throughout history. It is often related to an inherited abnormality in the body’s ability to process uric acid.

Ardea Biosciences, Inc.‘s investigational drug for gout dubbed as RDEA806 has recently received regulatory approval to advance into a Phase 2a clinical trial.

According to Barry D. Quart, PharmD, Ardea Biosciences’ President and CEO:

“The Phase 2a trial should allow us to confirm RDEA594’s activity in the target population of patients with gout using its prodrug, RDEA806. Enrollment in the Phase 2a trial should begin shortly and we are on track to initiate a Phase 1 trial with RDEA594 in the second half of this year.

We also are extremely pleased to add Dr. Fernando Perez-Ruiz to our inflammatory diseases SAB. Dr. Perez-Ruiz has extensive experience treating gout patients with drugs of the same class as RDEA594.”

Gout can be painful and really debilitating, that’s for sure. Like the other arthritis types, this one can happen to younger people and not just men in their 40s (group with highest risk). I know somebody in college who had one. Well he wasn’t really very athletic and has to watch what he ate.

Ardea previously announced the designation of RDEA594, a major metabolite of RDEA806, the Company’s lead human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) development compound, as its lead development candidate for the treatment of patients with gout.

RDEA594 does not have antiviral activity, but is believed to be responsible for essentially all of the uric acid lowering effects seen with RDEA806. Uric acid lowering effects have been observed following administration of RDEA806 in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials that included over 100 subjects.

Okay…let’s see how this goes. It’s good to always have options in finding the right balance of treatment, nutrition and form of exercise in order to manage one’s arthritis. Since gout is more of a metabolic, I guess people with this condition has to watch what they eat more than anybody else.