Amira Pharmaceuticals has initiated a Phase I clinical study to evaluate AM152, a novel LPA1 antagonist, as potential therapy for lung fibrosis of scleroderma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The study is designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile of AM152 in healthy subjects.

The company expects the study to be completed in mid-2011.

Amira Pharmaceuticals CEO Bob Baltera noted that there are no US Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies for fibrotic disease.

He added that the company looks forward to better understanding the potential therapeutic benefit of an LPA1 antagonist in this area of medicine.