Enterprise Therapeutics Ltd (Enterprise), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapies to improve the lives of those suffering from respiratory disease, today announced the dosing of the first person with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) in its Phase 2a trial of ETD001.
ETD001, a low molecular weight compound with first-in-class potential, targets the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the airway epithelium to increase the hydration and clearance of mucus. The Phase 2a trial aims to deliver clinical proof-of-concept and to assess the safety profile of ETD001 in the 10 % of pwCF with the highest unmet medical need. The study will be performed at sites located in the UK, Germany, France, and Italy and will assess lung function (FEV1) in pwCF who are either ineligible for or are not receiving CFTR modulators.
CF is estimated to affect over 100,000 people worldwide, with an average life expectancy of only 50 years. Failed mucociliary clearance and mucus congestion in the lungs of pwCF lead to cycles of infection and inflammation and an ongoing decline in lung function. Increasing fluid volume in the lung by inhibiting ENaC with ETD001 will hydrate mucus, improve clearance, reduce mucus congestion, and is expected to drive substantial improvements in lung function. ETD001 has previously demonstrated a strong safety profile in healthy participants in a Phase 1 trial and has been shown to be long-acting in pre-clinical studies.
Dr. John Ford, CEO of Enterprise Therapeutics, said: “The dosing of the first person with CF in our Phase 2a trial of ETD001 represents an incredible milestone, a testament to Enterprise’s dedication to advancing a novel approach to treating pwCF with the highest unmet medical need. ETD001 has already demonstrated an excellent safety profile in healthy participants, as well as a pharmacokinetic (PK) profile consistent with a long lung residency. We look forward to progressing ETD001 through Phase 2 trials and beyond.”
Paul Russell, Head of Development, Enterprise Therapeutics, commented: “By targeting the underlying mechanisms of mucus congestion in the lungs through ENaC inhibition, ETD001 has the potential to be a transformative respiratory therapeutic. This is not only for the ~10 % of pwCF who are not genetically suited to, or do not benefit from CFTR modulators, but also those suffering from other muco-obstructive lung diseases such as COPD and asthma. The commencement of our Phase 2a trial brings us an exciting step closer to realizing that potential.”
We are grateful to the pwCF participating in our Phase 2 study of ETD001, and to the clinical investigators for achieving this major milestone. We are hopeful that our steadfast commitment to advancing this innovative ENaC targeting molecule, along with our partnerships with the CF community, will lead to a treatment that will vastly improve the lives of people living with CF.
Dr. Renu Gupta, CMO, Enterprise Therapeutics
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