Basel/Switzerland and Bridgewater NJ/USA, 23 October 2007 Speedel Holding Ltd (SWX: SPPN) announced today that it will continue development of SPP301 (avosentan) as a potential breakthrough therapy for diabetic kidney disease, which is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Based on the analysis of data from the previously halted ASCEND[1] Phase III trial, plus data from a new Speedel study of how SPP301 affects fluid retention in human volunteers, and ongoing preclinical and technical assessments, Speedel plans to start a new Phase IIb dose finding study with SPP301 in 2008. The company has also decided not to continue development on its own of SPP200 (pegmusirudin) for patients undergoing haemodialysis, and is now in active discussions to partner the asset.
