Synairgen begins second part of SNG001 Phase II trial

Respiratory drug discovery and development company Synairgen has started the second part of its Phase II clinical trial for its wholly-owned inhaled interferon-beta (IFN-beta) therapeutic candidate, SNG001, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it announced on Monday.

The AIM-traded firm said the first part of the trial successfully assessed the safety and antiviral biomarker activity of SNG001 in COPD patients, when patients were free of viral infection.

It said the aim of the second part was to study the efficacy and safety of inhaled SNG001 in up to 120 COPD patients, with a confirmed respiratory viral infection.

IFN-beta is a naturally-occurring antiviral protein produced by lung cells on exposure to a respiratory virus, Synairgen explained.

Lung cells from patients with COPD had been shown to have a poor antiviral response in vitro.

Treating cells with SNG001 had been shown to orchestrate antiviral defence mechanisms which protect COPD lung cells against respiratory viruses in in vitro models, it said.

In addition, independent research published by Nature Communications suggested that the increased risk of pneumonia associated with the use of inhaled corticosteroids to treat exacerbations in COPD could be due to the suppression of interferons, with the research proposing that inhaled IFN-beta therapy could be protective.

“Cold and flu respiratory viruses cause approximately 50% of COPD exacerbations and are the second most common cause of unplanned hospital admission in England, presenting a significant health risk and economic burden,” said Synairgen chief executive officer Richard Marsden.

“With no effective broad spectrum antiviral treatment on the market, we believe treating COPD patients with our wholly-owned product, SNG001, has the potential to enhance greatly the patient's defences against viral infection, reduce exacerbations, increase quality of life and reduce hospitalisations.

“Commencement of part two of this Phase II trial in advance of the winter virus season is clearly another key milestone for Synairgen.”