Istesso has commenced dosing in IST-03, its Phase 2 clinical trial of leramistat in patients with sarcopenia caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
The study will evaluate leramistat's effects on muscle quality, repair and function in a condition for which no specific pharmacological therapies currently exist.
"This marks an important inflection point for Istesso as it moves into Phase 2 evaluation of a genuinely novel approach to regenerative medicine," said Greg Smith, Chief Executive of IP Group (LSE:IPO).
The trial follows prior rheumatoid arthritis data in which leramistat improved disability and fatigue and reduced markers of muscle loss, and is underpinned by preclinical findings showing restoration of muscle quality and recovery of mass and function in aged animals.
Leramistat is Istesso's lead candidate from a novel class of Mitochondrial Complex I Modulators that the company says induce adaptive tissue repair across muscle, bone, gut and lung.
Enrolment is underway at Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals with support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research and its specialist biopsy and imaging facilities.
IP Group holds an undiluted 56.5% stake in Istesso.
