Last checked at 14 Jun 2019 07:00
Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy
("Faron" or the "Company")
Final results from YODA study confirm previously reported findings
TURKU - FINLAND, 14 June 2019 - Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (AIM: FARN), the clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today announces results from its pharmacokinetic/dynamic YODA study examining the administration of concomitant steroids and Traumakine in healthy volunteers.
As previously reported, the post-hoc analysis of the phase III INTEREST study had indicated significant reduction of interferon-beta ("IFN-beta") action by steroids and this finding was also observed in the Japanese phase III study. Steroid interference with IFN-beta was also reported in ex vivo human lung tissues and human primary lung endothelial cells. The YODA study was set out to further investigate this observed finding in a prospective study setting in human healthy volunteers by administrating Traumakine alone or Traumakine in combination with prednisolone (a corticosteroid).
As previously announced, parts I and II of the YODA study confirmed that the INTEREST study drug produced the expected levels of bioactivity, suggesting that drug formulation was not a factor in the outcome of the INTEREST trial and this observation was confirmed during part III of the YODA trial. The concomitant use of IFN beta-1a and prednisolone during part III reduced IFN beta-1a action, compared to subjects who received IFN beta-1a alone. This was evident during the YODA trial through both clinical signs of the subjects (fever, which is a typical pharmacodynamic effect of interferon beta-1a) and reduction of cluster of differentiation 73 (CD73) activity responses measured from blood samples of these subjects. For the final statistical analysis, 10 subjects were included in the Traumakine group (two drop outs due to strong "flu reaction") and 12 subjects in the group receiving Traumakine in combination with prednisolone. The statistical AUC (area under curve) difference in CD73 activity between the two groups (10 versus 12 subjects) was p = 0.087. CD73 is regarded as the key molecule to maintain the endothelial barrier, which if it leaks, can cause impaired lung function and result in the life-threatening syndrome, ARDS. Traumakine is designed to prevent this leakage by upregulating CD73 expression.
Dr Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer of Faron, said: "These YODA results once again are consistent with the INTEREST data, supporting the conclusion that co-administration of steroids with Traumakine in patients inhibited interferon beta action. These findings are significant in explaining the lack of clinical response to Traumakine in the INTEREST trial. The YODA report will become an essential part of our communication dossier with the FDA and EMA when we justify our clinical double dummy design for the concomitant use of steroids for the next Traumakine studies."
The Company currently expects to receive the INFORAAA interim results in the near future, allowing full review of all the Traumakine data with key opinion leaders and to make final decisions on Traumakine's development. The Company currently envisages that a further Traumakine trial is likely to be funded through third party funding. Low concomitant corticosteroid use is expected during the INFORAAA trial.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 ("MAR").
For more information please contact:
Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy
Dr Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer
investor.relations@faron.com
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited, Nomad and Broker
Emma Earl, Freddy Crossley (Corporate Finance)
James Stearns (Corporate Broking)
Phone: +44 207 886 2500
Consilium Strategic Communications
Mary-Jane Elliott, David Daley, Lindsey Neville
Phone: +44 (0)20 3709 5700
E-mail: faron@consilium-comms.com
Westwicke Partners, IR (US)
Chris Brinzey
Phone: 01 339 970 2843
E-Mail: chris.brinzey@westwicke.com
About Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Faron (AIM:FARN) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for medical conditions with significant unmet needs. The Company currently has a pipeline focusing on acute organ traumas, vascular damage and cancer immunotherapy. The Company's first candidate Traumakine, to prevent vascular leakage and organ failures, has completed a Phase III clinical trial in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). An additional European Phase II Traumakine trial is underway for the Rupture of Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm ("RAAA"). Faron's second candidate Clevegen is a ground breaking early clinical anti-Clever-1 antibody. Clevegen has the ability to switch immune suppression to immune activation in various conditions, with potential across oncology, infectious disease and vaccine development. This novel macrophage-directed immuno-oncology switch called Turn-on-your-Immunity or Turn-It may be used alone or in combination with other immune checkpoint molecules for the treatment of cancer patients. Faron is based in Turku, Finland. Further information is available at www.faron.com