Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE:AGN, OTCQB:AGNPF) told investors that Dr Peter Dicpinigaitis, regarded as an authority on clinical studies of coughs, will be the medical consultant on its Phase 2b clinical study of NP-120 (Ifenprodil).
As recently reported, Algernon is planning a 180-patient, 90-day, clinical trial set to begin in the third quarter of this year.
Dr Dicpinigaitis is professor of medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. He is also the founder and director of the Montefiore Cough Center, one of the few specialty centers in the world exclusively committed to the evaluation and management of patients with chronic cough.
In addition to experience in all aspects of clinical medicine within the spectrum of pulmonary and critical care, a major focus of Dr Dicpinigaitis' clinical research for over 25 years has been in the area of cough, Algernon noted. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on cough and is considered an authority on the performance of cough challenge studies in clinical research, it added.
READ: Algernon Pharmaceuticals announces Phase 2b study of Ifenprodil for chronic cough
In a statement, Christopher J. Moreau, CEO of Algernon, commented: "We are very pleased that Dr Dicpinigaitis has joined Algernon as a medical advisor. We look forward to working with him as we advance towards our upcoming Phase 2b chronic cough study of NP-120 (Ifenprodil)."
Chronic cough is defined as lasting for more than eight weeks and in the US, cough continues to be one of the most common reasons that adults consult doctors.
Chronic cough is believed to be due to hypersensitivity of the cough reflex within the neuronal circuitry that governs the urge to cough, wherein one or more aspects that regulate cough are over-active to stimulus, triggering a cough at abnormal levels.
Ifenprodil selectively inhibits N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors containing the NR2B sub-unit. The company said that by inhibiting NMDA receptors, Ifenprodil can diminish the excitability of neurons and prevent the relaying of information along neuronal circuitry, including the cough reflex.
According to Data Bridge Market Research analyses, the global chronic cough market was valued at US$6.15 billion in 2021 and will grow to US$11.38 billion by 2029.
Algernon is a Canadian clinical-stage drug development and repurposing company investigating multiple drugs for unmet global medical needs.
Contact the writer at giles@proactiveinvestors.com