AGI-1067. AtheroGenics

AGI-1067 is an oral VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) gene expression inhibitor under development by AtheroGenics for the potential prevention of atherosclerosis (hypercholesterolemia) and restenosis. AGI-1067 was also being developed in collaboration with Schering-Plough; however, in October 2001, all rights to the drug were returned to AtheroGenics. In February 2001, dosing was completed in phase II trials for the potential treatment and prevention of restenosis and atherosclerosis following angioplasty. In December 2001, further phase II trials (CART-2) were initiated for the treatment of restenosis and atherosclerosis. Early-phase clinical trials are ongoing for the prevention of atherosclerosis. In January 2002, analysts at Adams, Harkness & Hill predicted that AGI-1067 would be launched in the second half of 2005, with sales of US $100 m in that year and US $540 m in 2006. It was also believed that AtheroGenics would look to sign a marketing partnership following the expected completion of the CART-2 trial in 2002.