Status asthmaticus is a long-lasting and severe asthma episode in which asthma symptoms are not responsive to initial bronchodilator or corticosteroid therapy. Status asthmaticus is an emergency situation that can lead to death, emergency department treatment and, in some cases, hospitalization. MediciNova has developed and studied an intravenous formulation of MN-221 appropriate for hospital use.
The company plans to initiate a phase II study in patients with status asthmaticus under a US investigational new drug application for this indication later this year.
MediciNova acquired a license to MN-221 from Kissei Pharmaceutical for global markets, with the exception of Japan and other selected Asian countries. The drug candidate has been licensed for the treatment of preterm labor and status asthmaticus.
Preclinical studies conducted in vitro and in vivo show MN-221 to be highly selective for the B2-adrenergic receptor. Moreover, in these studies, the B1-adrenergic receptor stimulating activity of MN-221 was significantly less than that of other B2-adrenergic receptor agonists in isolated rat atrium and in in vivo cardiac function tests in rats, dogs and sheep, suggesting that the stimulating action of older, less selective B2-adrenergic receptor agonists on the heart may be reduced with MN-221 due to its greater B2-adrenergic receptor selectivity.