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Centocor Extends Patient Enrollment to Evaluate CNTO 1275 in Treatment of Active Crohn's Disease

[Centocor / JNJ has a collaboration with GTCB to produce an undisclosed protein in GTCB’s goats. This could be the protein.]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050531/phtu027.html?.v=11

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Investigational, Human Anti-IL-12, Anti-IL-23 Monoclonal Antibody Focus of Phase II Clinical Research Trial

CHESTERBROOK, Pa., May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Centocor, Inc. announced today the extension of patient enrollment for a Phase II trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CNTO 1275 for reducing the signs and symptoms of active Crohn's disease (CD), a serious gastrointestinal disorder. CNTO 1275 is a human monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin 12 (IL-12) and interleukin 23 (IL-23), proteins that occur naturally in the immune system and are believed to play a role in the inflammation associated with CD.

"This study will evaluate the effect of a targeted, human anti-IL-12 monoclonal antibody on Crohn's disease and its symptoms," said Dennis S. Riff, MD, Medical Director, Advanced Clinical Research Institute, Anaheim, California. "We look forward to further analysis and evaluation of this therapy as a potential treatment for patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease."

Patients who are eligible to participate in the 28-week study will be randomized at week 0 to one of four treatment groups to receive active drug or placebo. Subjects will be permitted to remain on certain standard CD medications, including steroids and immunomodulators, while participating in the study. Patients will be monitored through 28 weeks with an additional visit at week 54 for a final blood test. For more information about clinical trial sites and specific study protocol, please call 1-800-624-7994.

About Crohn's Disease

CD is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder that commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine and the large intestine and typically begins in late childhood or early adulthood. The disease causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, typically resulting in symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and weight loss. It is estimated that 500,000 Americans and more than 400,000 people in Europe and Canada suffer from this gastrointestinal disorder.
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