Vernalis plc announces it has dosed the first subjects in a phase I trial of V158866, its Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor, a novel target with potential application in a wide range of pain and other indications.

The double-blind, placebo controlled study investigating single and multiple ascending doses is being conducted in healthy male volunteers. The objective of the study is to identify doses of V158866 that are both safe and well tolerated and to measure the compound’s effect on FAAH activity and endocannabinoid levels.

Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis commented “The progression of V158866 into Phase I marks another excellent achievement by our in-house research and development teams and provides us with an additional potentially high value development programme in a core areas of focus for the company.”

Vernalis is a development stage pharmaceutical company with significant expertise in taking promising product candidates along a commercially-focused path to market and its technologies, capabilities and products are endorsed by collaborations with Biogen Idec, Chiesi, Endo, GSK, Lundbeck, Menarini, Novartis and Servier.