Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a privately held biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel treatments for diseases in the areas of autoimmune disease and cancer, announced the completion of enrolment of 27 patients into a phase 2a study of the safety and efficacy of its immunomodulator, MM-093, in patients suffering from psoriasis. MM-093, Merrimack's lead product, is a recombinant version of human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).

This study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, outpatient clinical investigation in adult patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Each patient receives doubleblind treatment for 12 weeks, with a follow up period of 6 weeks after the last dose. The study is being conducted at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, with Dr. Gerald Krueger as the principle investigator and at the Texas Dermatology Research Institute in Dallas, TX with Dr. Alan Menter as the principle investigator.

"We are pleased that the enrolment for this phase 2a study has been completed on schedule," said Robert Mulroy, president & CEO. "Results from this pilot study will be available in late summer this year. The development of MM-093 is focused on diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis -- indications for which published and proprietary preclinical data provide a compelling rationale for its use, and in which significant unmet medical needs still exist."