Arena Pharmaceutical completes Phase 1 of bioavailability study

Despite IR's ability to give continual treatment, the XR may be superior when given once a day for ralinepag.
Despite IR's ability to give continual treatment, the XR may be superior when given once a day for ralinepag. | File photo

Arena Pharmaceutical Inc. has completed Phase 1 of its comparative bioavailability study on pharmacokinetic profile of extended release ralinepag in comparison to immediate release.

Despite IR's ability to give continual treatment, the XR may be superior when given once a day for ralinepag to create a PK profile that mirrors intravenous prostacyclin therapy, the study suggests.

"We believe the results from this trial support the delivery of ralinepag as a single oral dose for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension," Arena's Executive Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer Preston Klassen said.

The Phase 1 trial took into consideration the safety and tolerability and PK of XR tablets when give in single doses everyday which varying dosage amounts, in 12 healthy adults who were also given IR capsules. The results exhibited a better response to the XR tablets than the IR capsules in reducing maximum plasma concentration.