ChemoCentryx Presents Positive Results for Novel CCR2 Inhibitor in Preclinical Models of Diabetic Nephropathy at the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Nephrology

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ChemoCentryx, Inc. today announced positive preclinical results for its novel CCR2 antagonist at the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Nephrology. CCR2 inhibition in diabetic mice resulted in rapid and robust improvements of albuminuria, serum markers of renal function, and hyperglycemia.  These data were highlighted today in a poster presentation titled "CCR2 Inhibition in Diabetic Mice Results in a Rapid and Robust Improvement of Renal Function" in Philadelphia, PA. CCX140, the Company's most advanced CCR2 antagonist is currently in Phase II clinical trials for diabetic nephropathy.  

"These results further support the clinical evaluation of CCR2 antagonists such as our lead independent drug candidate, CCX140, in renal disease," stated Thomas J. Schall, President and CEO, ChemoCentryx. "Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, for which there are no current treatment options that halt or reverse disease progression. We believe CCR2 antagonism represents a potential new treatment option which would delay or prevent the onset of end-stage renal disease and therefore offer significant pharmaco-economic benefits."

Results and Study Design

Results show that treatment with a CCR2 inhibitor significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion (UAER) and albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR). Statistically significant improvements in UAER and urinary ACR were noted as early as 48 hours after initiation of treatment. Serum markers of renal function (serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen) were also improved after 14 days of treatment. The benefits seen on renal function were observed at lower doses than those required for anti-glycemic benefit.

Male db/db mice (age 12-19 weeks) were dosed daily with the CCR2 antagonist or matching vehicle. Weekly assessments included body weight, fasting plasma glucose, serum clinical chemistry, and 24 hour urinary volume and output of albumin, creatinine and glucose.

About ChemoCentryx

ChemoCentryx, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing orally-administered therapeutics that target the chemokine and chemoattractant systems in order to treat autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders and cancer. The chemokine system is a biological network that regulates inflammation via a collection of secreted chemokine molecules, or ligands, and their specific cell surface receptors. Based on its proprietary drug discovery and drug development platform, ChemoCentryx has generated multiple clinical and preclinical-stage programs, each targeting distinct chemokine and chemoattractant receptors with different small molecule compounds. ChemoCentryx's most advanced drug candidate, CCX282-B (Traficet-EN, now designated GSK1605786, also known as GSK'786), a specific CCR9 inhibitor, completed a multi-national clinical trial, called PROTECT-1, in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease, where it demonstrated the ability to induce a clinical response and to maintain clinical remission, and is now in Phase III clinical development. ChemoCentryx's lead independent drug candidate, CCX140-B, a CCR2 inhibitor, has been shown to be safe and well tolerated while demonstrating clinical activity on glycemic indices in a Phase II clinical trial in type 2 diabetics, and is now in Phase II clinical development in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Other clinical programs include CCX354, a CCR1 inhibitor which successfully completed a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; CCX168, a C5aR inhibitor, in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis; and CCX832, a ChemR23 inhibitor in Phase I clinical development. ChemoCentryx also has several programs in advanced preclinical development.

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements". These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE ChemoCentryx, Inc.