Verona Pharma says that the company will present data at the upcoming North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference showing that its RPL554 inhaled PDE3/PDE4 inhibitor could be useful in treating CF.
According to the company, “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 CF patients.”
Verona CEO Jan-Anders Karlsson explained, “Due to its mechanism of action, we expected that RPL554 might have utility in other respiratory diseases in addition to COPD and asthma, such as bronchiectasis and CF. These results support that hypothesis at least for CF. We will now seek to build on these findings by testing the activity of RPL554 in patients with this orphan disease.”
Karlsson added, “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 maximize 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.”
Read the Verona press release.
