Synairgen unveils positive results from ongoing collaboration with Pharmaxis

IPF results from the build-up of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the lungs, which prevents normal uptake of oxygen. Scar tissue is comprised of collagen fibres which, when excessively produced and cross-linked, result in fibrosis. IPF represents a significant indication with more than 100,000 patients in the USA alone1.

Today’s results were generated in an in vitro model of IPF, developed in collaboration with scientists at the University of Southampton, using lung cells from IPF patients.

Human tissue-based models are increasingly recognised as being better for studying human disease than many animal-based or cell line-based research models. This is particularly the case for IPF, where the underlying causes of the disease are not well understood.

The results of the experiments announced today show that the Pharmaxis enzyme inhibitors, by inhibiting LOXL2, are able to reduce cross-linking of collagen fibres in a dose dependent manner.

Additionally it has also been found that collagen fibres were less organised in the presence of the inhibitors. It is hypothesised that this will result in less "stiff" lung tissue and that this may beneficially alter the course of this devastating disease.

Synairgen is now focussing on the pharmacology of the inhibitors and expects to progress one of these inhibitors into Phase I clinical trials during 2017.

Commenting on the results, Richard Marsden, Chief Executive of Synairgen, said: "We are very pleased with the progress made with this collaboration and are excited by these results. We look forward to updating the markets with further progress over the coming months."