ImmuPharma doses first patients in the US

ImmuPharma's clinical expansion into the US reached a significant point on Monday, with the first dosing of patients in its Phase III trial of the in-development lupus treatment Lupuzor.

The AIM-traded drug discovery and development company confirmed in a statement that dosing had begun at its first United States sites, which were only opened in December.

Its board confirmed that recruitment in the Phase III study for Lupuzor would occur in up to 45 investigator sites - 10 in the US, and 35 in Europe.

"This is the next key milestone for ImmuPharma's Lupuzor trial, and we are therefore delighted that following the initial US sites being opened, we can now confirm that the first Lupus patients have commenced dosing," said chairman Tim McCarthy.

"With recruitment going to plan, we look forward to providing further positive updates on this Lupuzor Phase III study as it progresses throughout this year, and 2017," he added.

Lupuzor was a new compound being developed as a potential treatment for the life-threatening autoimmune disease.

ImmuPharma said it worked by modulating the body's immune system so that it would not attack healthy cells, and avoid causing adverse side effects.