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Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

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May 23, 2011

Promedior reported results from a phase I trial of PRM-151 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This randomized double blind, placebo controlled study initially enrolled 26 healthy subjects who received single intravenous doses of PRM-151 from 0.1mg/kg to 20mg/kg. After completion of dosing of the healthy subjects, three subjects with IPF were administered a single dose of 10mg/kg intravenously. Single doses of PRM-151 up to 20mg/kg were safe and well tolerated in both populations. Analysis of efficacy biomarkers comparing the healthy versus IPF subjects showed a 50% reduction of CD45+/collagen-1+ fibrocytes within peripheral blood of all IPF subjects at 24 hours, and fibrocytes remained suppressed for up to 21 days in the majority of subjects. Analysis also indicated that elevated serum IL-6 levels observed at baseline in the IPF subjects decreased up to 50% (P<0.05) when measured 48 hours after PRM-151 dosing.

February 9, 2009

InterMune reported positive results from two phase III trials of pirfenidone for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The primary endpoint of both studies was change in forced vital capacity (FVC), a measure of lung function, after 72 weeks of treatment. The first trial was dubbed CAPACITY 1 and randomized 344 subjects to receive three capsules of pirfenidone (total daily dose 2403 mg) or placebo thrice daily for 60 weeks. The primary endpoint in this study was not met (p≡0.501), but supportive evidence of a pirfenidone treatment effect was observed on a number of measures. The least squares (LS) mean change in percent predicted FVC at Week 72 was -6.5% and -7.2% for pirfenidone and placebo, respectively, representing a relative reduction of 10%. Pirfenidone treatment was associated with a statistically significant effect in the pre-specified secondary endpoint of Six-Minute Walk Test distance (p≡0.001) when compared to placebo. The second trial was dubbed CAPACITY 2 and randomized 435 subjects to receive three capsules of pirfenidone (a total daily dose of either 2403 mg or 1197 mg) or placebo thrice daily for 60 weeks. The primary endpoint of change in percent predicted FVC at Week 72 was met with statistical significance (p≡0.001). The LS mean change in percent predicted FVC at Week 72 was -6.5% and -9.6% in the pirfenidone and placebo groups, respectively, representing a relative reduction of 32%. Pirfenidone treatment was also reached statistical significance on the pre-specified secondary endpoints of progression free survival (p≡0.023) and Categorical Change in FVC (p≡ 0.001) when compared to placebo. Pirfenidone was safe and generally well tolerated in both studies. Based on the results, InterMune is preparing for regulatory approvals in the US and EU.

June 4, 2007

Gilead issued positive results from a phase III trial of aztreonam lysine for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and concurrent pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. This double-blinded randomized trial, dubbed AIRCF-1 enrolled 164 subjects who received aztreonam lysine (75 mg) or placebo three times daily for 28 days. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in respiratory symptoms, as assessed by the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R). Results revealed a significant improvement in the CFQ-R, with a mean change from baseline of 9.7 points compared to placebo (p less than 0.001). Respiratory function, as measured by improvement of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was also improved. At day 28 subjects in the aztreonam lysine group with a mean change from baseline of 10.3% versus placebo (p less than 0.001). Based on positive phase III results, Gilead plans to submit a NDA to the FDA in the second half of 2007.

Pipex released positive results from a phase I/II trial of Coprexa for the treatment of refractory Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). This open-label trial enrolled 20 subjects with IPF and evidence of disease progression despite treatment with prednisone +/- cytotoxic therapy. Subjects received Coprexa (20mg) orally twice a day with meals plus 20-40mg orally at bedtime, for one year. Through-out the treatment duration subjects were monitored for adverse events, change in pulmonary function as measured by percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLco) and walk distance (six minute walk test). Treatment was generally well tolerated. FVC was stable in 60% of subjects, improved in 10% of subjects and worsened in 30% of subjects. DLco remained stable in 75% of the subjects and improved in 5%. DLco fell in 20% of subjects. At 1 year, the 6 minute walk test improved from 611 feet to 735 feet. Based on the results, Pipex plans to initiate an additional twelve month, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Coprexa later in 2007.

December 5, 2005

Actelion reported negative results of their phase III BUILD-1 trial of Tracleer (bosentan) for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Trial data failed to demonstrate a significant improvement in distance walked in a 6 minute walk exercise test vs. placebo, the trial's primary endpoint. Secondary data were also non-significant, but did yield a positive trend in the combined incidence of death or treatment failure (worsening of pulmonary function tests or acute IPF decompensation) at 12 months (22.5% for bosentan, vs. 36.1% for placebo; p=0.076). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study enrolled 158 patients, who were treated with the drug or placebo for 12 months. Based on these results, the company announced plans to investigate the drug's ability to reduce mortality in an additional trial.

September 3, 2002

The preliminary results of InterMune's phase III clinical trial of Actimmune (interferon gamma-1b) injection for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) showed that although the primary endpoint was not met, there was a significant survival benefit in certain subgroups. 330 subjects with IPF were randomized into two groups (placebo or 200 micrograms of Actimmune injected subcutaneously three times per week), with a mean treatment period of 60 weeks. The primary endpoint - progression free survival time - was not achieved, but there was a trend in favor of the Actimmune-treated subjects, demonstrating a 10% relative reduction in the rate of progression-free survival compared to placebo. In addition, there was a 70% decrease in mortality for the Actimmune-treated subjects with mild to moderate IPF, demonstrating a statistically significant survival benefit for that group compared to placebo.