Renovis, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs to treat neurological diseases and disorders, announced that it has ended its phase Ia clinical trial for REN-850, an investigational small molecule that was being studied for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

The objective of this study was to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of escalating single doses of REN-850 in healthy volunteers. Based on preclinical studies REN-850 is believed to act by inhibition of leukocyte trafficking.

"Interim data from the Phase Ia study with REN-850 revealed unexpected pharmacokinetic properties that were not predicted by preclinical testing of the drug candidate. After careful consideration of these data we have decided to end further development of REN-850," said Randall Moreadith, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of Renovis.