Nuvelo Announces Positive Results from Phase 1 Clinical Trial of NU206 in Healthy ...( SAN CARLOS Calif. Dec. 10 /- Nuvelo I...)

SAN CARLOS, Calif., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nuvelo, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUVO) today announced positive results from the Phase 1 trial of recombinant, secreted protein, NU206, the company's lead compound from its Wnt Therapeutics Program. This single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-ascending dose (SAD) trial tested the safety, tolerance and pharmacokinetics of a single intravenous (IV) administration of NU206, in 32 healthy male volunteers. Participants were enrolled in four cohorts of varying doses, with a maximum dose of 0.20 mg/kg/day. NU206 had a favorable safety profile, no serious adverse events were observed, and pharmacokinetics were predictable.

"Based on preclinical studies, we believe that NU206 promotes cell growth and repair, and, based also on results from this Phase 1 trial, believe it has the potential to offer a novel approach for the treatment of serious medical conditions such as gastrointestinal (GI) injury, inflammatory bowel disease, and bone disease," said Dr. Ted W. Love, chairman and chief executive officer of Nuvelo. "Because Nuvelo is in the process of merging with ARCA biopharma to create a cardiovascular-focused company, we are currently evaluating partnership and out-licensing opportunities for NU206 to continue development of the compound."

About NU206

NU206 (R-spondin1) is a recombinant, secreted protein that acts as a key regulator of the Wnt pathway, the critical pathway that stimulates cell growth and differentiation during homeostasis and pathogenesis in specific tissues including the GI epithelium and bone. Preclinical studies suggest it can promote growth and repair in animal models of radiation or cancer chemotherapy induced GI injury, inflammatory bowel disease, and bone disease.

About Nuvelo and Kyowa Hakko Kirin's Joint Collaborati
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