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Recruiting patients in Europe has now begun for the pivotal phase III trial of Lupuzor, aimed at treating the autoimmune disease Lupus, Immupharma PLC (LON:IMM) said today.
It follows news last month that first patients in the USA had begun dosing.
Chairman of the company Tim McCarthy said: "Following the initial US sites being opened and the first Lupus patients having commenced dosing we are delighted that we have hit another key milestone with patient recruitment started in our first European site in France."
The site is in Bordeaux, France and overall recuitment will take place in up to 45 investigator sites with ten in the USA and 35 in Europe to include France, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy and the UK.
"We look forward to providing further positive updates on this Lupuzor Phase III study as it progresses throughout this year and 2017," added McCarthy.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a debilitating and painful disease, which sees the body's immune system turn against itself for reasons still not fully understood.
It is much more common in women, appears most often in African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics and it is estimated that up to five million individuals worldwide may be affected.
The company does not claim Lupuzor is a cure but it hopes it will offer significant relief to sufferers such that their quality of life is greatly improved.
Earlier this month, the group confirmed it had raised a total £8.4mln to advance the potential blockbuster drug Lupuzor
Broker Panmure has placed its recommendation on the stock under review further to the announced recent capital raising and will be updating in due course.
Shares eased 2.43% to 26.10p.