Pharma

Drug combo for ulcerative colitis looks to phase 2 trial, partnership

A promising new combination drug for ulcerative colitis treatment is looking for investments to carry […]

A promising new combination drug for ulcerative colitis treatment is looking for investments to carry it through a phase 2 efficacy trial this year.

Altheus Therapeutics Inc.’s candidate, Zoenasa, combines the anti-inflammatory drug mesalamine, which is already approved and commonly used to treat the condition, with a powerful antioxidant to reduce bowel injury in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Altheus is working on two formulations of the drug: a controlled release oral drug for patients with proximal or extensive colitis and a rectal gel for patients with left-sided colitis

A phase 1 study completed last year showed the gel formulation was safe for use in humans, and the company hopes a phase 2 trial this year will show efficacy. The oral product is still in the development phase.

Founded in 2006 using technology developed in the lab of Dr. Richard Harty at Oklahoma University, the startup is raising a $7.7 million series B round of equity financing to carry out the trials. CEO Dennis Schafer wasn’t available to comment for this article but told i2E magazine that positive phase 2 data will allow the company to seek a partner for the oral drug, which is where the real commercial potential lies.

Two million people in the U.S., Europe and Japan have a form of IBD and that number is expected to grow and drive the global market value up to nearly $7 billion by 2015, according to visiongain. But the demand for better drugs is also driving competition. Takeda Pharmaceuticals just delivered positive results from a phase 3 trial of its drug candidate vedolizumab in treating ulcerative colitis, and Santarus Inc. recently filed a new drug application for Uceris, for which the company expects a response by mid-October.

Altheus is backed by St. Louis, Missouri-based Prolog Ventures, the Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund and Oklahoma Equity Partners.

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