- Top-line results for Part A of the study, designed to evaluate safety and tolerability of RHB-107 and dose selection, expected in Q1/ 22
- RHB-107 is a novel, investigational antiviral serine protease inhibitor targeting human cell factors and is expected to be effective against emerging viral variants
- In parallel, data packages for opaganib, RedHill's other advanced novel oral COVID-19 drug candidate, have been submitted in the U.S., EU, UK and other territories, ahead of planned regulatory advice
RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (Nasdaq: RDHL) ("RedHill" or the "Company"), a specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the last patient has been enrolled in Part A of the Phase 2/3 study with novel, once-daily, orally-administered pill RHB-107 (upamostat)[1] for non-hospitalized patients with symptomatic COVID-19. The study is being conducted in the U.S. and South Africa.
The Phase 2/3 study (NCT04723527) with RHB-107 is aimed at evaluating treatment in patients with symptomatic COVID-19 early in the course of the disease, with a once-daily oral treatment that can be prescribed and used in the non-hospitalized patient population. The study is a 2-part, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RHB-107. The study is designed to evaluate time to sustained recovery from illness as the primary endpoint and for dose selection. A total of 61 patients have been enrolled in Part A and randomized on a 1:1:1 basis to receive one of two doses of upamostat or placebo. Based on safety and tolerability results of part A, a dose for part B will be selected, and patients will be randomized 3:2 to active vs. placebo. Patients are also tested for specific viral strain. Top-line results from Part A of the study are expected in the first quarter of 2022, with Part B of the study expected to follow subsequent to discussions with regulators.
"Once again, we see a rise in COVID-19 infections in many countries across the world - and the need for effective, simple and safe oral therapies that can be used outside the hospital setting, and that can work across COVID-19 variants, is significant," said Terry F. Plasse MD, Medical Director at RedHill. "Completing randomization for Part A of the RHB-107 Phase 2/3 study is an important step forward for this elegant, once-daily novel oral pill as a potential treatment of COVID-19 in the community."
RHB-107 is a novel antiviral drug candidate that targets human serine proteases involved in preparing the spike protein for viral entry into target cells. Because it is host-cell targeted, RHB-107 is expected to also be effective against emerging viral variants with mutations in the spike protein. RHB-107 has demonstrated strong inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 viral replication in an in vitro human bronchial epithelial cell model. RHB-107 has a strong clinical safety and biodistribution profile, demonstrated in previous clinical studies, including several Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies in different indications, in approximately 200 patients.
In parallel, data packages for opaganib[2], RedHill's other advanced novel oral COVID-19 drug candidate - have been submitted to regulators in various territories including the U.S., EU, UK and others, ahead of planned regulatory advice. Opaganib's global Phase 2/3 study in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 demonstrated a 62% reduction in mortality as well as improved outcomes in time to room air and median time to hospital discharge in a sub-group of 251 moderately severe patients, comprising 54% of the study participants.
About RHB-107 (upamostat)
RHB-107 is a proprietary, first-in-class, orally-administered antiviral, that targets human serine proteases involved in preparing the spike protein for viral entry into target cells. RHB-107 targets human cell factors involved in preparing the spike protein for viral entry into target cells and is therefore expected to be effective against emerging viral variants with mutations in the spike protein. RHB-107 is being evaluated in a Phase 2/3 study for treatment of patients with symptomatic COVID-19 who do not require inpatient care. In addition, RHB-107 inhibits several proteases targeting cancer and inflammatory gastrointestinal disease. RHB-107 has undergone several Phase 1 studies and two Phase 2 studies, demonstrating its clinical safety profile in approximately 200 patients. RedHill acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to RHB-107, excluding China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao, from Germany's Heidelberg Pharmaceuticals (FSE: HPHA) (formerly WILEX AG) for all indications.
About RedHill Biopharma
RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (Nasdaq: RDHL) is a specialty biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on gastrointestinal and infectious diseases. RedHill promotes the gastrointestinal drugs, Movantik(R) for opioid-induced constipation in adults[3], Talicia(R) for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in adults[4], and Aemcolo(R) for the treatment of travelers' diarrhea in adults[5]. RedHill's key clinical late-stage development programs include: (i) RHB-204, with an ongoing Phase 3 study for pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease; (ii) opaganib ( ABC294640), a first-in-class, oral SK2 selective inhibitor targeting multiple indications with a Phase 2/3 program for COVID-19 and Phase 2 studies for prostate cancer and cholangiocarcinoma ongoing; (iii) RHB-107 (upamostat), an oral serine protease inhibitor in a U.S. Phase 2/3 study as treatment for symptomatic COVID-19, and targeting multiple other cancer and inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases; (iv) RHB-104, with positive results from a first Phase 3 study for Crohn's disease; (v) RHB-102, with positive results from a Phase 3 study for acute gastroenteritis and gastritis and positive results from a Phase 2 study for IBS-D; and (vi) RHB-106, an encapsulated bowel preparation. More information about the Company is available at www.redhillbio.com / https://twitter.com/RedHillBio.
NOTE: This press release, provided for convenience purposes, is a translated version of the official press release published by the Company in the English language. For full press release in English language, including the forward-looking statements disclaimer, please visit: https://ir.redhillbio.com/press-releases.
Category: R&D
1. RHB-107 (upamostat) is an investigational new drug, not available for commercial distribution in the United States.
2. Opaganib is an investigational new drug, not available for commercial distribution in the United States.
3. Full prescribing information for Movantik(R) (naloxegol) is available at: www.Movantik.com.
4. Full prescribing information for Talicia(R) (omeprazole magnesium, amoxicillin and rifabutin) is available at: www.Talicia.com.
5. Full prescribing information for Aemcolo(R) (rifamycin) is available at: www.Aemcolo.com.
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Company contact:
Adi Frish
Chief Corporate & Business Development Officer
RedHill Biopharma
+972-54-6543-112
[email protected]
Media contacts:
U.S.: Bryan Gibbs, Finn Partners
+1 212 529 2236
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UK: Amber Fennell, Consilium
+44 (0)7739 658 783
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