Verona Pharma turns in positive data from RPL554 trials

26th Oct 2018 11:46

(Sharecast News) - Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Verona Pharma turned in some positive data from its pre-clinical and Phase 2a trials on its potential cystic fibrosis treatment RPL554.Verona told investors on Friday that data from its trials showed that RPL554 stimulated rare Class III and Class IV cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutants and had a favourable pharmacokinetic profile and increased forced expiratory volume in one second among patients with cystic fibrosis.The AIM-listed outfit said pre-clinical data revealed that RPL554 "significantly enhanced activity in cells that expressed T338I and R334W CFTR mutants", demonstrating that inhaled substance positively regulated the CFTR mutants on its own.Verona believes RPL554 has the potential to benefit patients who possess a wide range of different CFTR mutations."We are encouraged by the positive data being accrued from pre-clinical and clinical studies with RPL554 in both CF and COPD," said Verona chief executive Jan-Anders Karlsson."RPL554 has been well-tolerated and demonstrated bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory activity in our extensive COPD clinical trial program and we are encouraged that this dual effect also shows promise in CF. There remains a high unmet need among CF patients to address inflammation which is known to cause disease progression and can lead to worsening of symptoms as well as pulmonary exacerbations."As of 1210 BST, Verona shares had picked up 1.30% to 116.50p.