Vicore adds to rare lung disease pipeline with PAH indication
pharmafile | March 9, 2022 | News story | Research and Development |
Vicore Pharma has announced plans to initiate a clinical trial with C21 in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
PAH is a rare lung disease with huge unmet medical need, where existing medicines reduce the pressure by dilating the vessels without changing underlying disease or survival. Both PAH and the pulmonary hypertension associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis come with pulmonary vascular dysfunction, contributing to progression of disease and eventually, cardiac failure. PAH is a progressive disease, characterised by high blood pressure in the lung arteries, caused by narrowing and obstruction in the arteries of the lung.
C21 is a first-in-class, orally available, low molecular weight, angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) agonist, which activates the “protective arm” of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), leading to resolution and regeneration following tissue damage.
The company has generated preclinical data in pulmonary hypertension modes, showing that C21 reverses vascular remodelling, and significantly improves hemodynamics. The data supports clinical development in PAH. If successful in development, C21 will likely receive orphan drug status protection in the US and in Europe.
“I am delighted that new drugs with novel mechanisms are moving into clinical trials for PAH that is an important complication of connective tissue disease, including systemic sclerosis”, says Chris Denton, University College London.
“We have been investigating PAH as a possible indication for development before, and now with the preclinical dat “I am delighted that new drugs with novel mechanisms are moving into clinical trials for PAH that is an important complication of connective tissue disease, including systemic sclerosis”, says Carl-Johan Dalsgaard, CEO of Vicore.
Lina Adams
