Emmaus Medical completes Phase III sickle cell disease clinical trial

TORRANCE, CA – Emmaus Medical, Inc said its Phase III clinical trial in the U.S., which is looking at L-Glutamine as a treatment for sickle cell disease, is nearing target enrolment completion. The investigation is now underway at more than 30 clinical study sites. The announcement was made in conjunction with Sickle Cell Awareness Month in the United States.

Emmaus Medical also announced that an interim subset of data was analysed and submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by an independent committee. Over 190 of up to 225 patients are currently enrolled in the trial. The company states that it expects final data collection to be completed in 2013.

"During Sickle Cell Awareness month, we are reminded of the pain and suffering of those affected by this debilitating disease and the need for a widely available treatment," said Yutaka Niihara, M.D., MPH, founder and CEO of Emmaus Medical.

"Today, we believe Emmaus is the only company with a Phase III trial underway for a new sickle cell treatment. With research grants and through the generous support of friends and family over the past 20 years, we have progressed to the point where we are confident in our treatment and hopeful that it will be in the hands of patients worldwide in the not too distant future," he said.