Neurogen Says Arthritis Drug Fails to Meet Objective

Neurogen Corp. said on Tuesday it is unlikely it will continue development of its drug NGD 2000-1 for adult rheumatoid arthritis patients after it failed to meet a clinical trial’s objective.

Neurogen Corp. said on Tuesday it is unlikely it will continue development of its drug NGD 2000-1 for adult rheumatoid arthritis patients after it failed to meet a clinical trial’s objective. The drug did not show an effect regarding a change in C-reactive proteins, a marker of rheumatoid arthritis in patient blood samples, when compared with a placebo, the company said. Neurogen said data from the studies require further analysis, but the oral drug has the potential for interactions with other drugs. NGD 2000-1 is part of a category of compounds known as C5a antagonists. The molecule C5a has been implicated in several inflammatory disorders, including asthma and tissue damage related to heart attacks. In January, the company’s trial of NGD 2001-1 in 142 asthma patients did not show a significant benefit. Neurogen shares closed at $9.31 on the Nasdaq Stock Market on Tuesday, up 1 cent.(Source: Reuters Health, June 2004)