ImmuPharma PLC (LON:IMM) has confirmed that discussions with potential partners are ongoing as it assess the best route forward for its lead drug.
The results from an extension study of Lupuzor, a treatment for the autoimmune disease Lupus, will feed into the decision making.
WATCH: Immupharma PLC assessing best route forward for lead drug Lupuzor
A readout from the clinical assessment of 62 patients who took part in an earlier phase III trial is expected later this current quarter, the firm confirmed in an update alongside its full-year results.
The results of that final-phase assessment of Lupuzor were inconclusive, but ImmuPharma believes the drug has a part to play in the treatment regimen of sufferers. Worldwide, there are 5mln people with Lupus, 1.5mln of them in the US, Europe and Japan.
Managed access programme on hold
A planned managed access programme that would have provided patients with Lupuzor even though it doesn’t yet have regulatory sign-off has been put on hold.
This is to allow management to discuss with potential corporate partners and regulatory advisors the best way forward.
In the meantime, the company will focus on other applications in the autoimmune space for the drug, which is also known as P140.
ImmuPharma previously announced plans to merge its Elro and Ureka subsidiaries and it confirmed Friday it will look to out-licence their technologies, or spin off the businesses completely. This would allow the AIM-listed drug developer to concentrate on P140.
Results for the year ended December 31 showed the company posted a £7.2mln loss. More important to followers and would-be investors is cash in the bank, which was £4.9mln at the period-end. The coffers were topped up following a £10mln fundraiser in January.