Arana Therapeutics [ASX: AAH] has submitted an IND to the FDA for its candidate ART621 for rheumatoid arthritis.

As part of the IND application, a Phase II dose trial of the anti-TNF drug will be conducted in a multi-centre trial in 200 patients.

Arana expects to begin recruitment for the study later this year, pending approval from the FDA. Quintiles has been named as the CRO.