AtheroGenics down on Phase II failure

AGIX was down $2.38 to $26.56 on 5.1 million shares on Wednesday on news that it will discontinue development of its AGIX-4207 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The decision follows Phase II data showing that the compound missed the primary endpoint of improved ACR20 scores. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled European OSCAR trial in 275 patients with mild to severe RA, none of three dosing groups had significant ACR20 improvements. AGIX said the compound did improve secondary endpoints of tender joint count and morning stiffness. AGIX-4207 is an oral modulator of TNF alpha-induced redox-sensitive genes. ...