Encouraging Data on Porcupine and ROCK Inhibitors

RNS Number : 2094Q

Redx Pharma plc

27 June 2022

 

REDX PHARMA PLC

("Redx" or "the Company")

Redx Presents Encouraging Preclinical Data on the Potential of Porcupine and ROCK Inhibitors to Tackle Cancer-Associated Fibrosis

Cancer-associated fibrosis is an emerging area in hard-to-treat cancers where tumour specific fibroblasts can blockade effective drug treatment

Data presented as part of inaugural Extracellular Matrix Pharmacology Congress

Redx's RXC008, a GI-targeted ROCK Inhibitor, also highlighted in a separate presentation as a potential first-in-class treatment for fibrostenotic Crohn's disease

Alderley Park, 27 June 2022 Redx (AIM: REDX) , the clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel, small molecule, highly targeted therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and fibrotic disease, announces that two presentations were delivered at the inaugural Extracellular Matrix Pharmacology Congress ("ECM 2022") in Copenhagen, 23-25 June. The presentations highlighted novel preclinical research performed by the Company and academic collaborators including encouraging data supporting Redx's Porcupine and ROCK inhibitors as potential novel treatments for cancer-associated fibrosis.

Dr Richard Armer, Chief Scientific Officer, Redx Pharma, commenting on both presentations at the ECM Congress said: " The encouraging data sets presented at the ECM Congress demonstrate the potential of our proprietary molecules to address hard-to-treat cancers and fibrotic diseases, including cancer-associated fibrosis. Redx is uniquely positioned to become a leader in these underserved clinical areas as we continue to leverage our current clinical assets, world-class medicinal chemistry, and drug discovery engine. We look forward to continuing our work with leading academic institutions to research possible future applications of our molecules."

Collaboration partner, Professor Marina Pajic of the prestigious Garvan Institute of Medical Research (the "Garvan") in New South Wales, Australia presented the RXC004 (PORCUPINE) and ROCK2 selective inhibitor data showing that targeting fibrosis associated with pancreatic cancer led to increased survival in mouse models. The collaboration between Redx and the Garvan was announced on 5 April 2022.

Professor Marina Pajic, Associate Professor and Strategic Program Lead for Precision Medicine for Cancer at the Garvan commented: "Highly fibrotic pancreatic cancers are a key research area for us. Our work with Redx's proprietary, highly selective small molecules allows us to expand our understanding of how targeting different signalling pathways may be used to develop novel treatments which improve patient survival in these difficult-to-treat cancers."

In a second presentation , Head of Inflammation and Fibrosis at Redx, Dr Peter Bunyard, presented data supporting RXC008, a GI-targeted ROCK inhibitor, as a potential first-in-class treatment for fibrostenotic Crohn's disease. The presented results were from a research collaboration between Redx and scientists at Belgium's Ghent University and assessed the preclinical efficacy of RXC008 based on the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) texture analysis to determine fibrotic changes in the colon. The data showed that RXC008 could significantly reduce fibrosis in the mouse dextran sulfate sodium ( DSS) model measured by both histology and, for the first time, non-invasive MRI. This study therefore highlights that RXC008 has the potential to be the first pharmaceutical treatment for fibrostenotic Crohn's disease, reducing or replacing the need for repeated and debilitating surgical interventions, currently the only treatment option for patients, and that MRI could be used to monitor the effectiveness of new treatments in the clinic without the need for invasive biopsy.  

Debby Laukens , Professor of Gastro-Intestinal Inflammation at Ghent University, commented : " We are proud of our work with Redx and the crucial role it played in profiling a differentiated drug candidate through measuring its anti-fibrotic effects using a novel, non-intrusive technique. We were clearly able to demonstrate the efficacy of Redx's GI-targeted ROCK inhibitor to specifically target fibrosis in the intestines."

About the Extracellular Matrix Pharmacology Congress

The Congress, organised by the Danish Research Foundation, brought together experts in the fields of cancer, fibrosis and immunology to discuss new pharmacological approaches to treat chronic diseases often caused by alterations in the extracellular matrix ("ECM") structure. Redx was one of eight symposium sponsors.

For further information, please contact:
Redx Pharma Plc  Caitlin Pearson, Head of Communications [e-mail]   UK Headquarters Lisa Anson, Chief Executive Officer	T: [phone]
US Office Peter Collum, Chief Financial Officer
SPARK Advisory Partners (Nominated Adviser)	T: [phone]
Matt Davis/ Adam Dawes
WG Partners LLP (Joint Broker)	T: [phone]
Claes Spång/ Satheesh Nadarajah/ David Wilson
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited (Joint Broker)	T: [phone]
Rupert Dearden/ Freddy Crossley/ Emma Earl
FTI Consulting	T: [phone]
Simon Conway/ Ciara Martin

About Redx Pharma Plc

Redx Pharma (AIM: REDX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel, small molecule, highly targeted therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and fibrotic diseases, aiming initially to progress them to clinical proof of concept before evaluating options for further development and potential value creation. Redx's lead oncology product candidate, the Porcupine inhibitor RXC004, commenced a Phase 2 programme in November 2021. The Company's selective ROCK2 inhibitor product candidate, RXC007, is in development for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and commenced a Phase 1 clinical trial in June 2021. Encouraging safety and pharmacokinetic data has been reported, and a Phase 2 clinical program is confirmed to start in 2022. Redx's third drug candidate, RXC008, a GI-targeted ROCK inhibitor for the treatment of fibrostenotic Crohn's disease, is currently in pre-IND stage, with Phase 1 clinical studies expected to commence in 2023. 

The Company has a strong track record of discovering new drug candidates through its core strengths in medicinal chemistry and translational science, enabling the Company to discover and develop differentiated therapeutics against biologically or clinically validated targets. The Company's accomplishments are evidenced not only by its two wholly-owned clinical-stage product candidates and rapidly expanding pipeline, but also by its strategic transactions, including the sale of pirtobrutinib (RXC005, LOXO-305), a BTK inhibitor now in Phase 3 clinical development by Eli Lilly following its acquisition of Loxo Oncology and RXC006, a Porcupine inhibitor targeting fibrotic diseases including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which AstraZeneca is progressing in a Phase 1 clinical study. In addition, Redx has forged collaborations with Jazz Pharmaceuticals, which includes JZP815, a preclinical pan-RAF inhibitor, which has received IND clearance from the US FDA and an early stage oncology research collaboration.  

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About The Garvan Institute of Medical Research
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research brings together world leading researchers and clinicians, collaborating locally and globally, to improve human health. Our mission is to harness all the information encoded in our genome to better diagnose, treat, predict and prevent disease. From the individual patient with rare disease, to the many thousands affected by complex, widespread illness, we are pioneering discoveries across diseases that have the deepest impact on our community.

About Ghent University

Ghent University is a top 100 university, founded in 1817, and one of the major universities in Belgium with more than 49,000 students and 15,000 employees. Our 11 faculties offer more than 200 courses and conduct in-depth research within a wide range of scientific domains. Our credo is 'Dare to Think', challenging everyone to question conventional views and to dare to take a nuanced stand. We are a pluralistic university open to all, regardless of their ideological, political, cultural or social background. Ghent University Global Campus is also the first European university in Songdo, South Korea. www.ugent.be #ugent

 

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