Sangamo Neuropathy Drug Failed to Meet Goal in Mid-Stage Trial

Sangamo BioSciences (NASDAQ:SGMO) said on Monday that its experimental treatment for diabetic neuropathy did not meet its primary goals in a mid-stage study.

The pharmaceutical company said the drug, called SB-509, failed to show statistically significant improvements compared with the placebo at 180 days, which was the primary endpoint.

“We are disappointed that this trial did not produce a better outcome in the pre-specified primary and secondary endpoints,” said Sangamo CEO Edward Lanphier, adding that the company will discontinue further development of the drug.

It also failed to show statistical improvements in the secondary endpoints, which were sural nerve conduction velocity, neuropathy impairment score in the lower limb and intraepidermal nerve fiber density.

The study of 170 patients was designed to finalize dose, schedule and primary and secondary endpoints for the Phase III trial.

Based on the weak results, Sangamo said it would instead focus its attention on its pipeline of ZFP Therapeutics for HIV and monogenic diseases.