United States-based HUYABIO International announced on Tuesday that it has dosed the first three patients in an outgoing phase two study of the company's novel drug for pharmacological cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF).

The study is assessing pharmacological cardioversion of acute AF. Cardioversion aims to restore a normal heart rate and rhythm in AF patients and is often done by high energy electrical shock. The Phase 2 trial named HBI-3000-402 is a two-stage, serial cohort dose escalation and expansion study of a single intravenous infusion of HBI-3000 in patients with AF between two and 72 hours.

Dr Mireille Gillings, president, CEO & executive chair, said: "We are excited to proceed with dosing AF patients in our Phase 2 trial of HBI-3000. AF is a growing global problem and HUYABIO's drug is well-positioned to provide a new pharmacological treatment for patients, many of whom would otherwise get electrically cardioverted which can be both stressful and painful."