Drug evaluation: VX-702, a MAP kinase inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis and acute coronary syndrome.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc, in collaboration with Kissei Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, is developing VX-702, one of a series of second-generation, orally active p38 MAP kinase inhibitors, for the potential treatment of inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases. In June 2005, a phase II clinical trial of VX-702 was initiated in rheumatoid arthritis. In July 2006, Vertex was planning to file an IND in the second half of 2006.