Patterson, NY – Penwest Pharmaceuticals Co. (Nasdaq: PPCO) today announced that it initiated a Phase IIa clinical trial for A0001 in December and that the screening of patients is underway. The study is being conducted at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA).

The primary objective of this study is to investigate whether treatment with A0001 has a discernible impact on various functional, biochemical and subject/clinician-rated scales relevant in the treatment of FA. The Phase IIa clinical trial is a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial that includes a high and low dose of A0001 and a placebo. Penwest plans to enroll approximately 42 patients with a 2:1 randomization of drug to placebo. The patients will be dosed for 28 days. The Company expects data from this trial in the third quarter of this year.

Read More: Penwest Announces Initiation of Phase IIa Clinical Trial of A0001 in Patients with Friedreich's Ataxia