4th Sep 2012 07:30
For immediate release
Verona Pharma reports bronchodilator data with RPL554 in COPD patients
at the 2012 European Respiratory Society
4 September 2012 - London, UK - Verona Pharma plc (AIM: VRP.L), the drug discovery and development company with first-in-class drugs to treat respiratory diseases, today announces the completion and reporting of data from a clinical trial with its lead drug candidate, the dual PDE 3 and 4 inhibitor RPL554, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The data was presented by the trial's Principal Investigator, Professor Mario Cazzola, at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress in Vienna.
The Phase II trial was a placebo-controlled cross-over study in 12 patients with mild to moderate COPD and was carried out at the Tor Vergata Clinic at the University of Rome, Italy.
The data showed that a single dose of nebulized RPL554 to patients with COPD produced a rapid bronchodilator response, greater than a 15% increase in FEV1 (forced expiratory volume at 1 second). This magnitude of bronchodilator response was significantly larger than that produced by placebo and appeared to be at least equivalent to that produced by a standard dose of the reference bronchodilator beta2-agonist salbutamol in these patients. In addition, inhalation of 0.018 mg/kg of RPL554 was well tolerated and did not cause any significant adverse effects.
Professor Cazzola commented: "Our results with RPL554 show that this is a promising novel class of bronchodilator drug for the treatment of asthma and COPD."
This completes the first bronchodilator study in mild to moderate COPD patients at the Tor Vergata Clinic in Rome and is an expansion of the pilot part of the study announced by the Company on 10 November 2011.
Dr. Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO of Verona Pharma said: "These data with RPL554 in COPD patients confirms the bronchodilator activity that we have previously observed in a smaller group of COPD patients and in asthmatics. RPL554 has a very interesting profile with its rapid onset of action. In addition to its bronchodilator activity, we are evaluating its potential anti-inflammatory effect in the clinical trial that is currently on-going at the Medicines Evaluation Unit in Manchester."
-Ends-Notes to EditorsAbout Verona Pharma plc
Verona Pharma plc is developing first-in-class drugs to treat respiratory disease, such as COPD, asthma and chronic severe cough. The Company has three drug programmes, two of which are in Phase II. The lead programme, RPL554, is an innovative dual phosphodiesterease (PDE) 3 and 4 inhibitor with both bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory properties. VRP700 is an innovative product for suppressing chronic severe chough in patients with underlying lung disease. In its third programme, Verona Pharma is investigating novel anti-inflammatory molecules, called NAIPs, for a wide range of respiratory and inflammatory diseases. Verona Pharma is based in London, U.K. For more information, visit: www.veronapharma.com
About chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD, commonly known as smokers' disease, is predominantly characterized by chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is a progressive degenerative lung disease that results in reductions in lung airflow, making it difficult to breathe. COPD is estimated to affect 210 million people worldwide and is projected to be the third leading cause of death by 2020. The economic burden of COPD in the UK is estimated to be £1.2 billion in health costs and lost productivity.
About The University of Rome Tor Vergata
The University of Rome Tor Vergata, based in south-east Rome, is committed to excellence in teaching and research, as witnessed by the research awards, the numbers of active research contracts, the significant financial support and the economic, social and cultural benefits delivered by its research and teaching activities. Besides teaching and research, the University campus hosts one of the most modern University Hospitals in Italy, the Tor Vergata Polyclinic.
For more information please contact:
Verona Pharma plc Tel: 020 7863 3300 Clive Page, Chairman [email protected] Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO WH Ireland Group Plc Tel: 020 7220 1650 Chris Fielding [email protected] Jessica Metcalf College Hill Tel: 020 7457 2020 Melanie Toyne Sewell [email protected] Gemma Howe
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