Icagen, Inc. today reported the completion of enrollment in the Company’s Phase II proof-of-concept study of senicapoc in patients with exercise induced asthma. Initial results from this study are expected during the second half of this year.

As previously reported, the exercise induced asthma trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study designed to assess the safety and efficacy of senicapoc on pulmonary function in patients with exercise-induced asthma. Approximately 70 patients from 11 clinical research centers in the United States were randomized (1:1) to receive senicapoc or placebo once a day for four weeks. The primary efficacy analysis is the comparison between treatment arms in the percent change in FEV1, the amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled in one second, following exercise. FEV1 is a standard, commonly used test to measure lung function.

In addition to the exercise induced asthma study, Icagen is also conducting a Phase II proof-of-concept study in patients with allergic asthma. This study enrolled approximately 30 patients at two centers in the United Kingdom. Enrollment was completed in April, and initial results from this study are also expected during the second half of the year.

Senicapoc is a novel orally available small molecule inhibitor of the KCa3.1 potassium ion channel. Literature data suggests a potential role for inhibitors of KCa3.1 in the treatment of a wide variety of inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases, including asthma. Results from preclinical studies demonstrated the ability of senicapoc to reverse antigen-induced increases in airway resistance and airway hyper-reactivity.

“We are very pleased to have reached another important milestone in the development of senicapoc for asthma,” stated Seth V. Hetherington, M.D., Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs at Icagen. “We have now completed enrollment in both of our ongoing proof-of-concept trials of senicapoc in asthma, and look forward to having the data for these trials later this year.”