Pharmaxis Ltd (ASX:PXS) has updated on its ongoing collaboration with UK biotechnology company Synairgen plc (LSE:SNG) to develop a selective inhibitor.
The inhibitor is for the lysyl oxidase type 2 enzyme (LOXL2) to treat the fatal lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
This week, Synairgen said that data generated in an in-vitro model of IPF using lung cells from IPF patients, developed in collaboration with scientists at the University of Southampton, shows that the Pharmaxis enzyme inhibitors are able to reduce the cross-linking of collagen fibres essential for fibrotic tissue.
Opportunity for Pharmaxis
The LOXL2 program for IPF is being funded by Synairgen, providing a second opportunity for Pharmaxis which is developing other fibrotic diseases from its LOXL2 program such as NASH and kidney fibrosis.
This provides the potential for multiple indications for Pharmaxis' LOXL2 drug program.
Pharmaxis is very well-funded with A$46 million in cash at the end of December 2015.
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