VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (VIAP)

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VIA Pharmaceuticals Announces First-in-Human Dosing of VIA-3196 for Treatment of Dyslipidemia
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Via Pharmaceuticals (PN) (USOTC:VIAP)
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VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: VIAP), a biotechnology company focused on the development of compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, today announced dosing of the first healthy volunteers in a Phase I clinical trial of VIA-3196, the Company's orally administered, liver-directed thyroid hormone (THR) beta receptor agonist for the treatment of high LDL cholesterol and other dyslipidemias including high triglycerides and elevated Lp(a).

As a beta-selective THR agonist, VIA-3196 is designed to specifically target receptors in the liver involved in metabolism and cholesterol regulation, and avoid side effects associated with THR activation outside the liver. In preclinical studies, VIA-3196 demonstrated a rapid reduction of non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and fatty liver, and synergistic activity when used with statins.

"There remains a significant unmet need for new and more effective therapies that reduce the lipids linked to heart disease, particularly among high risk patients whose LDL cholesterol is not controlled by current therapies," said Rebecca Taub, MD, Senior Vice President, Research & Development for VIA Pharmaceuticals. "By targeting a distinct mechanism of lipid metabolism, VIA-3196 has the potential to address hypercholesterolemia and other dyslipidemias when given alone or in combination with other lipid lowering agents. We are pleased that the first volunteers have been dosed with the study drug and no adverse events have been reported."

"Today's announcement is a significant milestone for VIA Pharmaceuticals, and an important first step in the clinical development of VIA-3196," said Lawrence Cohen, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of VIA Pharmaceuticals.

The Phase I clinical trial of VIA-3196 (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01367873) is an ascending single-dose study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of VIA-3196 in healthy subjects. The single-center trial will enroll approximately seventy-two subjects and is being conducted by Cetero Research at its clinical study site in Fargo, ND. VIA-3196 was first developed by Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. and inlicensed by VIA Pharmaceuticals in December 2008.

About VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the development of compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. VIA's drug candidates include VIA-3196 and other compounds to address underlying causes of cardiovascular disease: high cholesterol, diabetes and inflammation. For more information, visit: http://www.viapharmaceuticals.com.