Pulmatrix, a clinical stage biotechnology company, has partnered with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics (CFFT), a nonprofit drug discovery and development affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, to advance PUR118 in clinical trials.
The PUR118 is Pulmatrix’s lead iCALM inhaled drug candidate, which is currently in a Phase I study in cystic fibrosis (CF) and two Phase Ib studies in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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After the completion of Phase I safety and tolerability study in CF patients, Pulmatrix considers initiating a Phase 1b trial of PUR118 in CF patients evaluating mucociliary clearance velocity as an endpoint.
Pulmatrix CEO Robert Clarke said the CF Foundation recognised the potential of PUR118 and is investing with Pulmatrix to increase the drug’s development.
"This is a tremendous vote of confidence in our clinical program and gives us the ability to accelerate our activities as we seek to develop a novel treatment to meet the unmet needs of patients with CF," Clarke said.
"Longer term, we see PUR118 as a perfect complement to the existing CF therapies to provide even better patient outcomes."
As per the agreement, Pulmatrix will gain up to $1.4m in upfront and milestone-driven funding from CFFT for the drug development, in addition to introductions to cystic fibrosis academic researchers and access to critical research insight and resources.
The CFFT award is intended to support Pulmatrix’s Phase Ib clinical trials of PUR118 in CF to reduce the risk of acute exacerbations in CF patients.
