CPC-111 (Cypros Pharmaceutical Corp).

CPC-111 is a cytoprotective drug under development by Cypros for the potential treatment of cardiovascular ischemia, sickle cell anemia and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It acts by stimulating anaerobic glycolysis which generates adenosine triphosphate under ischemic conditions. Large phase III trials were planned for mid-1998, at 20 to 30 centers in Europe and the US, in patients at risk of ischemic complications resulting from coronary bypass surgery. In June 1998, the company began recruiting for a pivotal phase III trial of CPC-111 in sickle cell patients. The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is expected to enroll 280 patients at 30 centers in the US. Study endpoints will include pain reduction, length of hospital stay, length of vaso-occlusive episode and amount of narcotic use. The drug has repeatedly demonstrated statistically significant improvements in a wide variety of endpoints in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients treated with the drug, including measures of heart damage and recovery of post-operative heart function. CPC-111-treated patients also appear to require less post-operative care.