According to a BioSpace report, the first of four planned phase III clinical trials of lesinurad for the chronic treatment of gout has been initiated. The program is anticipated to involve approximately 2,000 gout patients at sites around the world. The remaining Phase III studies in the program are expected to begin shortly.

Lesinurad is an oral, once-daily inhibitor of the URAT1 transporter in the kidney that regulates uric acid excretion from the body. Lesinurad has been evaluated in phase I and II clinical trials as a single agent and in combination with allopurinol and febuxostat.