Synairgen PLC (LON:SNG) has reported significant industry interest in its new idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment ahead of the start of clinical trials.
Richard Marsden, Synairgen’s chief executive, said: "Based on PXS-5382A's potential across a number of disease areas and the promising data seen to date, we have received significant interest from companies looking to license the programme for multiple indications.”
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The respiratory drug developer confirmed in a statement that it is to start a Phase I (safety) trial of the new treatment for sufferers of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the fourth quarter of 2017 after completing pre-clinical studies.
PXS-5382A, an inhibitor that aids breathing in patients by targeting the LOXL2 enzyme, is being developed with Australian firm Pharmaxis.
Results from the Phase I trial are scheduled for the middle of 2018, after which the aim is to find a partner to license the drug due to size of the potential market and number of indications it could address.
WATCH: Synairgen's chief hails exciting IPF data from LOXL2 inhibitor programme
Though IPF is the initial target, LOXL2 is believed to be an important factor in other fibrotic diseases such as NASH, cardiac fibrosis and kidney fibrosis, all of which are areas of high unmet need currently.
“PXS-5382A is a very valuable candidate with potential applications in a number of fibrotic conditions with very substantial market opportunities,” said Marsden.
"The effect of this novel inhibitor across different model types is very exciting, with the latest supporting data suggesting that PXS-5382A can significantly reduce lung fibrosis and therefore has the potential to improve lung function in severely ill patients.”