Dyax has treated the first patient in a Phase II trial of Ecallantide for acute treatment of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema.
Ecallantide inhibits the plasma kallikrein-mediated cleavage of high-molecular-weight kininogen, which in turn prevents the release of bradykinin.
The 176 patient double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomised trial will compare the safety and effectiveness of conventional therapy treatment plus Ecallantide to conventional therapy treatment plus placebo.
The primary endpoint is patient discharge from the emergency room by six hours after dosing.
Ecallantide is approved under the brand name Kalbitor in the US for the treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angiooedema in patients aged 16 or older.
