Date: 2014-09-29
Type of information: Presentation of results at a congress
phase:
Announcement: presentation of results at the 28th Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC), Atlanta, Georgia, USA, October 9-11, 2014.
Company: Verona Pharma (UK)
Product: RPL554
Action
mechanism: RPL554 is a long acting bronchodilator/anti-inflammatory drug belonging to a class of drugs known as a mixed phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3/4 inhibitor. Verona Pharma is investigating its use for the treatment of respiratory diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
Disease: cystic fibrosis
Therapeutic area: Rare diseases - Genetic diseases
Country:
Trial details:
Latest
news: * On September 29, 2014, Verona Pharma, the drug development company focused on first-in-class medicines to treat respiratory diseases, reports that RPL554, the Company’s lead molecule, currently in phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of acute COPD, may also be a novel treatment for cystic fibrosis, based on data that will be presented at The 28th Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC), Atlanta, Georgia, USA, October 9-11, 2014. This is the first time these data will be presented in a peer-reviewed public forum. The presentation, entitled “CFTR activation by the dual phosphodiesterase 3/4 inhibitor RPL554 and the MRP4 inhibitor MK571”, reports data demonstrating the ability of RPL554 to activate the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (“CFTR”), an ion channel in cells lining the airways, which is defective in cystic fibrosis patients. Genetic mutations that reduce the function of CFTR are responsible for the symptoms experienced by CF patients. CFTR activation may also contribute to the efficacy of inhaled RPL554 already observed in COPD and asthma. Dr Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO of Verona Pharma, commented: “We are currently focused on progressing RPL554 in phase 2 clinical trials for COPD, initially positioning it as a novel treatment for acute exacerbations of the disease. We are also building a broader franchise around this drug to maximise its value, both to patients and to investors. We are therefore exploring the potential of the drug in different diseases as well as in the multi-blockbuster markets for COPD and asthma maintenance therapy. The results outlined in this NACFC presentation suggest another tangible opportunity for us to explore.” A manuscript describing the full results from these studies is being prepared for publication by the end of 2014 in an appropriate peer-reviewed scientific journal.
