Growing opportunity for Porcupine inhibitors

RNS Number : 2615V

Redx Pharma plc

27 January 2017

 

27 January 2017

AIM: REDX

REDX PHARMA PLC

("Redx" or "the Company" or "the Group")

Redx outlines growing opportunity for Porcupine inhibitors

There is an increasing understanding developing around the activation of the Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway and response to checkpoint inhibition in cancer patients implying a role for Porcupine inhibitors in improving immunotherapy responsiveness over and above their potential as monotherapies (1).

In addition to its effect in several cancer models as a monotherapy, Redx has also presented data showing the synergistic (enhancing) effect of its proprietary Porcupine inhibitor, RXC004, with an anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor. We note increasing activity evaluating Porcupine inhibitors in combination with checkpoint inhibitors like anti-PD-1 elsewhere. Redx can confirm that a combination arm has been built into the upcoming clinical study for RXC004 reflecting our belief in the validity of this approach.

Redx is currently finalizing its clinical trial application for RXC004 with the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). At the same time, clinical trial supplies are being manufactured.  The study will assess the safety of RXC004 in patients as well as its potential as a monotherapy for pancreatic, biliary and gastric cancers and also examine the prospective synergistic effect of RXC004 combined with an anti-PD-1 agent.

Beyond cancer, the Porcupine program at Redx has also identified another potent compound from a different chemical class that is being progressed as a potential treatment for challenging fibrotic diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), diabetic nephropathy (DN) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Dr Neil Murray, CEO of Redx, said:

"We're delighted with the excellent progress our team has made with the Porcupine inhibitor RXC004. As we move ever closer to the start of first-in-human clinical studies with RXC004, it is clear that not just ourselves, but key opinion leaders, competitors and potential partners are getting increasingly excited about Porcupine inhibition as an enhancer of immuno-oncology drugs. In addition, we are moving full speed ahead with our second Porcupine inhibitor which provides a major opportunity as a potential treatment for some debilitating fibrotic diseases."

For further information, please contact:

Redx Pharma Plc
Neil Murray, Chief Executive	T: [phone]
Karl Hård, Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications	T: [phone]
Cantor Fitzgerald Europe (Nomad & Broker)	T: [phone]
Phil Davies/ Michael Reynolds

About Redx Pharma Plc

Company website: Redxpharma.com

Redx is focused on the discovery and development of proprietary, small molecule therapeutics to address areas of high, unmet medical need, principally in cancer, infection and immunology, providing a pipeline of assets to larger and emerging companies. By improving the characteristics of existing drug classes to create highly differentiated, novel, best-in-class drugs, Redx has already established a portfolio of 14 proprietary drug programs. Seven proof of concepts have been achieved across five programs, with relevance for respective therapies to treat MRSA, gonorrhoea, bone tumours, skin, brain, breast, pancreatic and blood cancers.

 (1) J Immunother Cancer 2015 Sep 15;3:43

 

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