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(Alliance News) - Synairgen PLC on Wednesday said a phase two trial in its inhaled interferon beta programme has found cold and flu infections worsen symptoms for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Shares in Synairgen were up 7.4% at 11.12 pence at midday.
The programme is intended to counter the effects of cold and flu viruses in patients with COPD, which covers a range of chronic respiratory conditions such as emphysema, using inhaled IFN-beta.
Tom Wilkinson, the chief investigator for the phase two trial, said: "COPD exacerbations caused by cold and influenza viruses represent a significant health risk, particularly in the winter virus season. Patients with COPD exacerbations are the second most likely group of patients to be hospitalised in England for unplanned events.
"With no effective broad-spectrum antiviral treatment on the market, Synairgen's inhaled IFN-beta may provide a novel approach for COPD patients, with the potential to greatly improve the patient's defences against viral infection, reduce exacerbations, increase the quality of life and reduce hospitalisations."
So far, analysis of the trial has found cold and flu infections have "a considerable impact on symptoms" for patients with COPD using a breathlessness, cough, & sputum score.
A mean drop of more than one in this score is demonstrative of symptomatic improvement, and the trial so far has shown a mean increase of more than two, indicating "the potential to demonstrate a significant treatment effect".
A rapid point-of-care test is also being used to confirm the presence of a viral infection in patients and to ensure the right patients are enrolled in the study, with only those who might benefit from IFN-beta therapy being included.
Synairgen Chief Executive Richars Marsden said: "Aided by the rapid point-of-care test, the trial is successfully capturing marked changes in COPD symptoms in patients with confirmed common cold and influenza virus infections.
"We have previously shown inhaled IFN-beta boosts the lungs' antiviral defences in COPD patients and the magnitude of the symptom changes being observed so far in the current trial puts us in a good position to determine the potential benefit of inhaled IFN-beta in this patient population."
