Second Covid wave slows patient recruitment for Destiny Pharma

Clinical-stage biotechnology company Destiny Pharma updated the market on its ‘XF-73’ phase 2b clinical study with 101 patients on Monday, out of the target of 125 now recruited.

The AIM-traded firm said the study was recruiting patients undergoing open-heart surgery in the United States and Europe.

Subject to recruitment being slowed again by the impact of Covid-19, the study was expected to complete recruitment before the end of the year, and report results in the first quarter of 2021.

“We are very pleased to report that we have passed the 100 patients mark in our lead clinical study testing XF-73 as a novel product preventing the incidence of post-surgical infections,” said chief executive officer Neil Clark.

“This follows a protocol amendment with the FDA and promising interim safety data announced earlier in the year.

“We expect to complete recruitment before the end of the year and report results in early 2021 as we start preparations for the phase 3 study.”

At 1427 BST, shares in Destiny Pharma were flat at 75p.