Xechem International Inc. (fka XKEM)

[All City Baby]

OT: Icagen stops trial of sickle-cell drug

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., April 3 (UPI) -- U.S. firm Icagen said Tuesday it has stopped its clinical trial of a sickle-cell disease drug, after the study failed its primary endpoint.

The company said the independent data-monitoring committee overseeing the ASSERT trial of senicapoc recommended the move due to a "low probability of achieving a reduction in crisis rate," the study's primary endpoint.

Icagen was testing the new therapy to treat sickle-cell disease in adults.

The company said the data showed no statistically significant differences in safety between senicapoc and placebo.

Icagen added it will consider its future options for developing the drug when the remaining data from the trial are available.

The company has been co-developing senicapoc with McNeil-PPC, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.

http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/icagen_stops_trial_of_sicklecell_drug/20070403-052741-3050r/