Researchers say preliminary data has shown promising results for a new immunosuppressive medication, FTY720, being developed by Novartis for use in preventing acute organ rejection by kidney transplant recipients.

Reporting three-month interim data from a multicenter study of 208 adult kidney transplant recipients, the researchers said FTY720 may have "a unique ability to prevent lymphocytes from attacking transplanted organs without changing the body's ability to respond to other immune challenges."

``Our study showed extremely good efficacy rates with FTY720 in preventing acute rejection,'' said Dr. Donald E. Hricik of Case Western Reserve University told attendees at the scientific meeting Transplant 2001.

Hricik said initial data indicated that a 2.5mg daily maintenance dose of FTY720 resulted in lower rates of biopsy- and clinically-confirmed rejection than a 2g daily maintenance dose of mycophenolate mofetil.

``The new efficacy data on FTY720, combined with what we have learned about the drugs unique mechanism of action, show that we may have a powerful addition to the armamentarium that is truly new and exciting for our patients,'' said Dr. Barry D. Kahan of the University of Texas, Houston Medical School.

Other Sources: Transplant 2001