ARCA biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABIO), a biopharmaceutical company
developing genetically-targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases,
today announced that the Company’s GencaroTM Investigational
New Drug (IND) application for atrial fibrillation (AF) has been
accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is now
active.
Michael R. Bristow, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO, ARCA biopharma, Inc. (Photo: Business Wire)
ARCA plans to evaluate Gencaro, a pharmacologically unique beta-blocker
and mild vasodilator, as a potential treatment for atrial fibrillation
in the Phase 2B/3 GENETIC-AF clinical trial, which is expected to begin
enrolling patients in the first quarter of 2014. ARCA has identified
common genetic variations that it believes predict individual patient
response to Gencaro, giving it potential to be the first
genetically-targeted therapy for the prevention of atrial fibrillation.
Dr. Michael R. Bristow, Founder and CEO of ARCA, and a pioneer of
beta-blockade development commented, “At ARCA, we believe a personalized
medicine approach to drug development, tailoring medical treatment to
the individual genetic characteristics of each patient, can enable more
effective therapies, improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare
costs. If the GENETIC-AF trial successfully confirms the atrial
fibrillation data analysis from a prior Phase 3 clinical trial, Gencaro
has the potential to be the first genetically targeted treatment for the
prevention of this important cardiovascular disorder and provide a much
needed treatment option for patients in an area of high unmet medical
need.”
GENETIC-AF Clinical Trial
GENETIC-AF is planned as a Phase 2B/3, multi-center, randomized,
double-blind clinical trial comparing Gencaro to Toprol-XL for
prevention of AF in patients with heart failure and reduced left
ventricular ejection fraction (HFREF). ARCA plans to enroll only
patients with the genetic variant of the beta-1 cardiac receptor which
the Company believes responds most favorably to Gencaro. GENETIC-AF has
an adaptive design, under which the Company plans to initiate it as a
Phase 2B study in approximately 200 patients and then, depending on the
results of an interim analysis by the trial Data Safety Monitoring Board
(DSMB), expand the trial to a Phase 3 study by enrolling an estimated
additional 420 patients. The Company anticipates that patient enrollment
in GENETIC-AF will begin in the first quarter of 2014.
About ARCA biopharma
ARCA biopharma is dedicated to developing genetically-targeted therapies
for cardiovascular diseases. The Company's lead product candidate,
GencaroTM (bucindolol hydrochloride), is an investigational,
pharmacologically unique beta-blocker and mild vasodilator being
developed for atrial fibrillation. ARCA has identified common genetic
variations that it believes predict individual patient response to
Gencaro, giving it the potential to be the first genetically-targeted
atrial fibrillation prevention treatment. ARCA has a collaboration with
Medtronic, Inc. for support of the GENETIC-AF trial. For more
information please visit www.arcabiopharma.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" for purposes of
the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements
regarding, potential timing for patient enrollment in the GENETIC-AF
trial, the sufficiency of the Company’s capital to support its
operations, the potential for genetic variations to predict individual
patient response to Gencaro, Gencaro’s potential to treat atrial
fibrillation, future treatment options for patients with atrial
fibrillation, the role of AF burden in diagnosis and treatment of atrial
fibrillation and the potential for Gencaro to be the first
genetically-targeted atrial fibrillation prevention treatment. Such
statements are based on management's current expectations and involve
risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a
result of many factors, including, without limitation, the risks and
uncertainties associated with: the Company's financial resources and
whether they will be sufficient to meet the Company's business
objectives and operational requirements; results of earlier clinical
trials may not be confirmed in future trials, the protection and market
exclusivity provided by the Company’s intellectual property; risks
related to the drug discovery and the regulatory approval process; and,
the impact of competitive products and technological changes. These and
other factors are identified and described in more detail in ARCA’s
filings with the SEC, including without limitation the Company’s annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and subsequent
filings. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
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