VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 3, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cardiome Pharma Corp. (Nasdaq:CRME) (TSX:COM) is pleased to announce that its partner, Merck, has recently completed an additional multiple rising-dose Phase 1 study to explore the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of higher doses of oral vernakalant than previously studied in healthy subjects. In this study, oral vernakalant was well-tolerated at increased exposures. An additional Phase 1 trial assessing the safety and tolerability of oral vernakalant when dosed for a more extended period of time at higher exposures is scheduled to start in late 2011. These two Phase I studies are being conducted to inform the design of a Phase II study planned for initiation by Merck in late 2012.
