General pharmacology, toxicology and future clinical development of HOE 077.

The prolylhydroxylase inhibitor HOE 077 which has proven to be liver-selective in animals was tested in general pharmacological and toxicological studies for unwanted effects and safety. The results of these studies permit clinical development. A single-dose study in healthy volunteers was performed which showed that kinetics and main metabolites in man were similar to those found in animals. Aspects of the future clinical development of HOE 077 are discussed.