- Algernon (AGN) has provided an update on its chronic kidney disease (CKD) research program with NP-251 (Repirinast)
- In a pre-clinical animal model of kidney fibrosis, Repirinast reduced fibrosis by 50 per cent
- Material for toxicology studies and formulation development is expected to be delivered in late July 2022
- CKD is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged or cannot filter blood as well as healthy kidneys, often because of fibrosis
- Algernon is a drug re-purposing company that investigates already approved drugs for new disease applications
- Shares of Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AGN) opened trading at C$3.51
Algernon (AGN) has provided an update on its chronic kidney disease (CKD) research program with NP-251 (Repirinast).
The company previously announced that it had initiated a new CKD research program to investigate Repirinast as part of its drug repurposing program. Repirinast was originally an asthma drug developed by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma for the Japanese market.
In a pre-clinical animal model of kidney fibrosis, Repirinast reduced fibrosis by 50 per cent. It also showed an additive improvement when given in combination with Telmisartan, a blood pressure lowering medication. As part of the new CKD research program, Algernon will also investigate the use of Repirinast in acute interstitial nephritis, which causes inflammation of parts of the kidney.
The company has retained Zhejiang Ausun Pharmaceutical Co. of China to manufacture its own supply of cGMP grade Repirinast. Ausun has now developed and optimized a new synthetic route to Repirinast. The last major step on a full-scale engineering batch has been completed, and final material for toxicology studies and formulation development is expected to be delivered in late July 2022. Ausun has also developed and validated all analytical methods for testing.
The company will conduct a bridging sub-acute toxicology study when the Repirinast cGMP synthesis is completed. The sub-acute toxicology study is expected to take approximately 90 days. Algernon plans to begin a small Phase 1 study in Q4, 2022, to determine the bioavailability of its Repirinast finished product.
Christopher J. Moreau CEO of Algernon, commented on the study.
“It’s important to note that while we wait for Phase 2 data from our proof-of-concept idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic cough study, Algernon’s business model is to have multiple research programs under development at the same time,” said “Both stroke and CKD are serious global disease areas with unmet needs and the pre-clinical data showing the potential of DMT and Repirinast in treating these conditions, respectively, is very strong.”
CKD is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged or cannot filter blood as well as healthy kidneys, often because of fibrosis. As a result, excess fluid and waste from the blood remain in the body and may cause other health problems.
Algernon is a drug re-purposing company that investigates safe, already approved drugs, including naturally occurring compounds, for new disease applications.
Shares of Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AGN) opened trading at C$3.51.
