1 August 2016 - Vaccinex today announced that the U.S. FDA has granted fast track designation for VX15 as a potential treatment for Huntington’s disease.

VX15 is the company’s novel clinical stage monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D), a molecule that is believed to promote chronic inflammatory responses in the brain.

The fast track program of the FDA is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of new drugs that are intended to treat serious conditions and that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs. Under the fast track program, early and frequent communication between FDA and a sponsor is encouraged to facilitate rapid resolution of questions and issues. This frequent communication often leads to earlier drug approval. Fast track designated drugs also may qualify for priority review, if the relevant criteria are met, thereby expediting the FDA review process.

Vaccinex initiated a Phase 2 multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in subjects with late prodromal (pre-manifest) and early manifest Huntington’s disease in June 2015. The company anticipates completing an interim analysis in the third quarter of 2016 and top line data in 2018.

Read Vaccinex press release