Redx Pharma PLC (AIM:REDX) said its next drug candidate will target fibrosis in Crohn's Disease.
RXC008 is being developed to be the first-ever treatment to tackle the condition known as fibrostenotic Crohn's, which affects around 50% of people with the ailment.
The company plans to have a phase I clinical trial underway at the end of next year. This is its third asset targeting the area of fibrosis.
Redx said preclinical data has shown the gastro-intestinal tract-targeted ROCK inhibitor has a strong anti-fibrotic therapeutic effect.
"Crohn's disease-associated fibrosis is an area with high unmet need, with no treatment currently available except for invasive surgery,” said chief executive Lisa Anson.
“We are therefore delighted to announce this exciting new candidate, RXC008, which has the potential to help address this high unmet need, as the latest novel drug development candidate discovered by Redx.
“RXC008's progression demonstrates the power of our discovery platform and further strengthens our clinical development pipeline as we progress towards our goal of submitting three new INDs by 2025."