Cytokinetics Begins CK-2127107 Study
Cytokinetics Inc. (CYTK) recently initiated a phase I study of CK-2127107 in healthy male volunteers. Cytokinetics is evaluating CK-2127107 for the potential improvement of the functions of skeletal muscles in diseases and medical conditions like neuromuscular dysfunction, muscular weakness, and/or muscle fatigue.
The phase I double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of single ascending doses of CK-212107 when given orally to healthy male volunteers. Moreover, the study will evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of CK-2127107.
We note that companies like Shire plc. (SHPG) are developing candidates in collaboration with Acceleron Pharma, Inc. for the treatment of loss of muscle mass, strength and function.
Currently, Cytokinetics looks well-positioned, carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The company has a robust pipeline in various segments of muscle contractility. Lead pipeline candidate, tirasemtiv, is currently in a phase IIb study, BENEFIT-ALS, for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (:ALS).
The company is also progressing with its cardiac muscle contractility program. In collaboration with Amgen Inc. (AMGN), Cytokinetics initiated a phase IIb study, ATOMIC-AHF (Acute Treatment with omecamtiv mecarbil to Increase Contractility in Acute Heart Failure), of an intravenous formulation of omecamtiv mecarbil.
Meanwhile companies like GTX Inc. (GTXI) are also worth considering. GTX carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We note that GTX is developing selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) for the prevention and treatment of muscle wasting in patients suffering from cancer and other musculoskeletal wasting or muscle loss conditions. The lead candidate enobosarm (Ostarine; GTX-024) is being evaluated for muscle wasting in patients having advanced non-small cell lung cancer (:NSCLC).
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