Arana Therapeutics has sought approval for a small dose regimen study of its lead inflammatory disease candidate ART621 in rheumatoid arthritis.

The study, to be conducted in Sri Lanka and enrolling 20 patients, will compare four different dose regimens in order to optimise the regimen for its international Phase II dose ranging study.

Arana’s acting CEO Dr Steffen Nock said in an ASX statement that the data gathered from the small study will help fine-tune the larger one.

He said data from the company’s study of ART621 in psoriasis was due early next year.