ProMetic Life Sciences Inc., a biopharmaceutical company with globally recognized expertise in bioseparations, plasma-derived therapeutics and small-molecule drug development, recently presented in London at the annual meeting of the European Renal Association (ERA) new data confirming that the company’s experimental therapy PBI-4050 has an anti-fibrotic effect in the kidney in animal models of human kidney cell lines. The findings further support evidence that the drug could offer anti-fibrotic benefits for treat in IPF.
The results presented during the conference summarized the effect of the drug agent in Human Epithelial Proximal Tubule Cells (HK-2) and Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (“NHDF”), designed in in vitro experiments to simulate fibrosis. Results showed that the drug is able to regulate the remodeling enzymes and the pro-fibrotic growth factors in human kidney cells and in NHDF the same way as in animals.
“This is very important data because it confirms that the anti-fibrotic mechanism of action of PBI-4050 is similar in humans and in animals,” commented Dr. John Moran, Chief Medical Officer of ProMetic. “These results provide further support for our belief that the efficacy of PBI-4050 demonstrated in multiple preclinical models will translate into clinical benefit in patients suffering from fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or chronic kidney disease associated with diabetes.”
Dr. Lyne Gagnon, Head of R & D, Preclinical Research at ProMetic confirmed in the press release: “Our data correlates the regulation activity of PBI-4050 on key fibrotic biomarkers and the resulting improved kidney function. In fact, we have observed this in all major organs including the pancreas, liver, lungs and heart.”
ProMetics’ PBI-4050 is being evaluated in phase II studies in patients with IPF, and also in patients with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The company expected to start a phase II study during the second half of this that will evaluate the compound’s efficacy in patients with chronic kidney disease related with diabetes.
PBI-4050 is an orally active drug targeting fibrosis that has been found to have excellent efficacy and safety profiles. Fibrosis is a process where continuing inflammation leads to the loss of function of vital organs such as there lungs. Data from other studies have determined that the drug has an anti-fibrotic activity in the kidneys, heart, lungs and liver.