The compound is presently in phase I development for the treatment of acute heart failure, and data emerging from this trial has encouraged the company to initiate development of the compound for the treatment of chronic heart failure.
Following successful completion of the enabling preclinical studies, Cytokinetics intends to submit a regulatory filing for the initiation of a phase I clinical trial meant to confirm in humans the bioavailability seen in preclinical species with an orally administered formulation of CK-1827452.
Cytokinetics’ heart failure program focuses on the discovery and development of small molecules that directly activate cardiac myosin, a cytoskeletal protein that drives cardiac muscle contractility. This mechanism of action results in increased cardiac contractility without increasing stimulating beta-andrenergic receptors or inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity to increase intracellular calcium, that may be associated with adverse clinical effects in heart failure patients.
“Cytokinetics’ expertise in cytoskeletal pharmacology has now generated a development compound with potential application as a next-generation treatment for both acute and chronic heart failure patients,” said Dr James Sabry, Cytokinetics’ president and CEO. “This compound may be able to address heart failure patients’ needs across the continuum of care.”