CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts and SALISBURY, England, August 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

KalVista Pharmaceuticals today announced the dosing of the first subject in a first-in-human clinical trial to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of orally delivered KVD818 in healthy volunteers. A KalVista discovery, KVD818 is a novel, potent, and selective inhibitor of plasma kallikrein in development for the prevention of attacks of edema in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE).

Andrew Crockett, KalVista's CEO, said: "The successful dosing of the first subject in this first-in-human clinical trial is an important milestone for the KVD818 development program and a first step in our goal of developing a best in class oral plasma kallikrein inhibitor for HAE. We believe that an oral drug for the treatment of HAE will be an important advancement for patients who suffer from this condition."

This first clinical study will provide data to evaluate the key characteristics of safety, drug exposure and bioactivity (plasma kallikrein inhibition) achieved after oral dosing of KVD818. This clinical trial is being conducted in the United Kingdom and the results of this study are expected to be announced in the first half of 2017. If the Phase 1 program achieves its goals, KalVista plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial in HAE patients.

About Hereditary Angioedema 

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare and potentially life-threatening genetic condition that occurs in fewer than 1 in 10,000 people. HAE patients are susceptible to sudden and prolonged attacks of edema, which often occur in the hands, feet, face, gastrointestinal tract, and airway. Attacks can result in severe swelling and pain, airway blockage, and nausea. Treatment of HAE consists of both prophylaxis and management of acute attacks. For additional information on HAE, click here.

About KalVista Pharmaceuticals 

KalVista is a pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule protease inhibitors for diseases with significant unmet needs. KalVista's R&D team has developed a proprietary portfolio of small molecule plasma kallikrein inhibitors targeting hereditary angioedema (HAE) and diabetic macular edema (DME). The Company has a portfolio of orally-delivered plasma kallikrein inhibitors from which it plans to take multiple drug candidates into clinical trials. KVD818 is the first of these molecules to begin a Phase 1 clinical trial. KalVista's most advanced program, an intravitreally administered plasma kallikrein inhibitor, has successfully completed its first-in-human study in patients with DME and is being prepared for Phase 2 studies. Plasma kallikrein is a serine protease and an important component of the body's inflammatory response. It circulates as an inactive enzyme (plasma prekallikrein), which upon activation at the site of vascular injury initiates a cascade that results in increased levels of the potent vasoactive peptide bradykinin, which in turn leads to dilation of blood vessels and increased vascular permeability, edema, and inflammation.

The Company has raised capital from international life science investors: Longwood Fund, Novo A/S, RA Capital Management, SV Life Sciences, and Venrock. In addition, its development programs have received grant support from the JDRF, Innovate UK, and the European Commission. http://www.KalVista.com

Contacts
KalVista Pharmaceuticals    
Andrew Crockett, CEO
+44 1980 753002
info@KalVista.com

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Mark Swallow / Pip Batty
+44 207 282 2948
KalVista@citigatedr.co.uk     

SOURCE KalVista Pharmaceuticals