Immunetech Pharmaceuticals has asked federal regulators for...

Immunetech Pharmaceuticals has asked federal regulators for permission to begin human clinical testing of a drug that could control or prevent the development of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, the company said Monday.

Immunetech has asked the Food and Drug Administration for permission to begin tests of its “T-cell modulatory peptide, TCMP-80,” according to President Gordon V. Ramseier.

The synthetic peptide “designed by Immunetech scientists may show impressive clinical effects in controlling or preventing the development of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis,” Ramseier said.

He said Immunetech wants to begin “preliminary human testing” later this year. Animal testing conducted during the past three years proved that the drug inhibits the “immune response responsible for an animal condition similar to human multiple sclerosis,” Ramseier said, adding that about 250,000 Americans are afflicted with multiple sclerosis, he said.