Pharmaceutical company Calluna Pharma initiates effectiveness trial for distinctive IPF antibody
In the ongoing battle against Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), several drug candidates are undergoing clinical trials, offering hope for patients with a median survival time of three to five years.
One such drug is BMS 986278, developed by Bristol Myers Squibb, currently under evaluation in Phase III trials. This LPA blocker has demonstrated reductions in fibrosis and inflammation preclinically, similar to CAL101, an IgG1 antibody targeting the DAMP protein S100A4, developed by Calluna Pharma. The company is planning a Phase II study with 150 patients in partnership with Lilly ExploR&D. Preclinical studies on BMS 986278 have shown receptor redundancy, systemic adverse effects, and early toxicological setbacks.
CAL101 has shown selective inhibition of fibroblast activation and pro-fibrotic inflammation in preclinical studies, and its safety and immunogenicity profile was confirmed in Phase I trials. The study will randomize patients in a 3:2 ratio to receive either CAL101 or a placebo, with the primary endpoint being lung function, measured by forced vital capacity (FVC).
Another promising agent is Pamrevlumab, an antibody inhibitor of CTGF, developed by FibroGen. Unlike CAL101 and BMS 986278, Pamrevlumab may reduce symptoms but does not necessarily address the underlying inflammatory microarchitecture. The study for Pamrevlumab is in Phase III, unlike CAL101's ongoing multicentre Phase II study. It is important to note that previously studied candidates like galunisertib and fresolimumab were associated with gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and haematological adverse events, but this information is not provided for Pamrevlumab.
Competitor products targeting TGF-beta signalling pathways, LPA receptors, or CTGF are at more advanced stages of clinical development. Drug candidates that block TGF-beta activation, such as Pliant Therapeutics' Bexotegrastintegrin and Toray Industries' TRK-250, address a master regulator of fibrosis. However, Pamrevlumab is an inhibitor of CTGF, unlike the other agents mentioned.
While the exact mechanisms of action and potential side effects of these drugs are still being investigated, their progress in clinical trials offers a glimmer of hope for those affected by IPF. As research continues, it is expected that more effective and safer treatments will become available, improving the quality of life and prolonging the lives of those with this debilitating condition.
