Seragen
Executive Summary
Hopkinton, Mass. biotech begins Phase I/II trial of interleukin-2 receptor-targeted fusion toxin DAB389IL-2 for the early treatment of HIV infection. The trial, being conducted at Boston City, Beth Israel and Johns Hopkins hospitals, will include approximately 15 to 20 patients with no opportunistic infections who are not currently on anti-retroviral therapy. DAB389IL-2, Seragen's follow-on to its older fusion toxin DAB486IL-2, is currently in Phase I/II trials for severe rheumatoid arthritis and chemotherapy-resistant, IL-2 receptor-expressing lymphomas. The firm filed an IND for the HIV trial in December of last year.