Immupharma PLC (LON:IMM) has taken a step forward in its development of a drug to combat life-threatening auto-immune disease Lupus.
The company said the first European sites opened had now started dosing Lupus sufferers with its Lupuzor treatment as part of phase three trials.
Recruitment of patients for the trials would take place at up to 45 investigator sites, including 10 sites in the US and 35 in Europe.
Further updates on the progression of the Lupuzor phase three trial will be announced, as appropriate, as the trial progresses.
There are an estimated five million people globally suffering from Lupus, with about 1.5 million patients in the US, Europe and Japan.
Chairman Tim McCarthy said: "This is a further key milestone for ImmuPharma's Lupuzor trial with now both the US and European sites dosing Lupus patients.
"We look forward to providing further positive updates on this Lupuzor phase III study as it progresses throughout this year and 2017."