ImQuest Submits new IND

In a story I saw today on the PR newswire, ImQuest has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA, which was apparently approved.  The Phase I clinical trails being in 1Q ‘09.

From the story:

ImQuest Life Sciences announced today the successful submission of an IND application to the Food and Drug Administration to initiate human clinical trials for their lead pyrimidinedione HIV inhibitor IQP-0410. ImQuest anticipates initiating their Phase 1 studies in the first quarter of 2009. IQP-0410 is a novel small molecule inhibitor of HIV which primarily acts as a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). The compound possesses a second mechanism of action which prevents the entry of HIV into target cells and significantly raises the potential genetic barrier to resistance with IQP-0410 therapy. Preclinical pharmacokinetic and toxicology studies have demonstrated the potential for once per day dosing and a high safety margin for the compound. IQP-0410 has been found to inhibit HIV replication at sub-nanomolar concentration levels and to have highly significant activity against all clinical virus strains evaluated as well as against multi-drug resistant virus strains obtained from patients failing long courses of therapy with currently approved RT and protease inhibitors. The compound is well suited for use as a component of primary HAART regimens as well as a salvage therapy option. Preclinical studies have also demonstrated the ability of the compound to be used in combination with all other approved HIV drugs.

Let’s hope everything goes well in clinical testing. this could mean a significant advancement in HIV treatment and a novel approach to treating other viral infections.

We’ll have to make ImQuest buy more than chips for the next BioBeers, though…..