VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW) (OTCB: BTHCF) (the “Company” or “Algernon”) a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company is pleased to announce that it has reached 50% of its enrollment target for its Phase 2 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic cough clinical study of its re-purposed drug NP-120 (Ifenprodil).
The purpose of this 20 patient proof-of-concept Phase 2 human trial is to determine the efficacy of Ifenprodil in the preservation of lung function in IPF patients (including biomarkers of fibrosis) and its associated chronic cough. There are six sites in total participating in the study with four located in Australia and two in New Zealand.
Ifenprodil has been shown to mediate anti-inflammatory responses and reduce pulmonary fibrosis in a murine model of IPF and significantly reduced cough frequency and delayed onset in a guinea pig acute cough model.
IPF Animal Study Summary
Ifenprodil reduced fibrosis in a well-established in vivo animal model. Data from this study showed a 56% reduction in fibrosis vs. untreated controls (p=0.015) in a 21-day bleomycin mouse model (treatment began on Day 7).
Chronic Cough Animal Study Summary
Ifenprodil (1.5 mg/kg) showed a reduction of 42% in mean cough frequency vs. untreated control (p<0.01) in a well-accepted acute cough in-vivo animal study. Ifenprodil showed a statistically significant delay (59.8 seconds) in the onset of the first cough when compared to control, which was 34.2 seconds (p<0.05).
About IPF
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an orphan disease, is a type of chronic lung condition characterized by a progressive and irreversible decline in lung function and scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs. There is no cure for IPF and there are currently no procedures or medications that can remove the scarring from the lungs.
According to research and consulting firm GlobalData’s latest report, the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) market will rise substantially from just over $900 million in 2015 to $3.2 billion by 2025, representing a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6%.
About Chronic Cough
A chronic (persistent) cough is a cough lasting eight weeks or longer in adults, or four weeks in children. Chronic cough can interrupt sleep, cause exhaustion and in severe cases can cause serious vomiting, light-headedness and rib fractures.
According to a research report from IndustryARC™ the chronic cough remedies market size was estimated to be $11.4 billion in 2018 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.64% between 2019-2024. Despite the need for a serious and effective medicinal treatment, pleasant tasting oral syrups are today among the best treatments offered by medical science. Some traditional chronic cough remedies even include drinking honey, bromelain and bacterial microbes. Further, some new generation cough remedies include corticosteroids, bronchodilators and antibiotics.
About Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Algernon is a drug re-purposing company that investigates safe, already approved drugs, including naturally occurring compounds, for new disease applications, moving them efficiently and safely into new human trials, developing new formulations and seeking new regulatory approvals in global markets. Algernon specifically investigates compounds that have never been approved in the U.S. or Europe to avoid off label prescription writing.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Christopher J. Moreau
CEO
Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
604.398.4175 ext 701
info@algernonpharmaceuticals.com
investors@algernonpharmaceuticals.com
www.algernonpharmaceuticals.com.
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