Synthetic Biologics — formerly Adeona Pharmaceuticals — set to start phase-two test of multiple sclerosis drug

Ann Arbor-based Synthetic Biologics Inc., formerly known as Adeona Pharmaceuticals Inc., announced today that it has completed enrollment of 164 patients for a phase-two U.S. Food and Drug Administrationtrial of a drug to treat multiple sclerosis.

Synthetic Biologics (NYSE Amex: SYN) has received more than $8 million in grants to help bring to market the drug, Trimesta, which is taken orally. The company said the money will be sufficient to fund the trial to its completion.

The randomized, double-blind trial will be at 15 sites in the U.S. If results are promising, Synthetic Biologics will conduct a larger phase-three trial — the last step before commercialization.

Trimesta targets a form of MS known as relapsing-remitting MS, which affects women.

source: Crains Detroit Business