Combination Therapies Could Be a 'Fantastic Way Forward for Patients," Says Satellos Chief Scientific Officer

In this second segment of an interview with Managed Healthcare Executive, Phil Lambert, chief scientific officer for Satellos Bioscience Inc., in Toronto, discusses how the company's experimental Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug might be used in combination with other drugs. Satellos' drug, named SAT-3247 for now, is a small-molecule drug designed to trigger muscle stem cells to begin the process of regeneration.

Other Duchenne treatments seek to replace dystrophin, a protein essential for healthy muscle structure and functioning. Lambert says SAT-3247 can produce benefits as a stand-alone treatment but noted that Duchenne is a complex disease. "It wouldn't be surprising to think that some sort of combination of treatments would be the best way to approach the whole problem," he said.

"We would always consider combination therapies \being ultimately a fantastic way forward for patients," Lambert said.

Satellos announced positive phase 1b results for SAT-3247 late last month. The 28-day trial involved five adult males with Duchenne. The company said the results showed that the drug was well tolerated and had the expected pharmacokinetics when given to patients taking steroids. The news release said the results suggested a trend in improved grip strength, which could perhaps be an early indication of its efficacy.

The May 22 news release says Satellos plans to begin an 11-month follow-up study with the first patient receiving a dose in the third quarter of this year.