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Synairgen kicks off part two of phase II COPD study

Last updated: 22:45 22 Oct 2018 AEDT, First published: 17:58 22 Oct 2018 AEDT

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COPD sufferers are five times more likely than asthma sufferers to exacerbate cold and flu symptoms

Synairgen plc (LON:SNG) has kicked off the second part of the phase II trial of its SNG001 drug – a cold and flu treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) sufferers.

Typically, people with COPD are five times more likely than asthma sufferers to exacerbate cold and flu symptoms.

Part one of the mid-stage trial concluded earlier this year and involved dosing ten people who had no evidence of viral infection to examine levels of antiviral biomarkers in response to SNG001.

READ: Synairgen expands mid-stage COPD study

The results showed that not only was the inhaled interferon beta treatment safe and well tolerated but that it also boosted antiviral defences in the lung to prevent viruses spreading from the upper respiratory tract (nose, mouth and throat).

The aim of part two is to study the efficacy and safety of the SNG001 inhaler in up to 120 COPD patients with a confirmed respiratory viral infection.

Patients will receive either the drug or a placebo which has no medical impact on the person receiving it.

Synairgen had previously guided for a readout from the study at some point in the second half of 2019.

'Another key milestone'

“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 chief executive 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 the 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.”

In a separate statement, Synairgen also announced that it was informed on 19 October 2018 that Richard Griffiths, a private investor, now holds 15,391,112 ordinary shares in the company, representing 14.06% of its issued share capital.

In early afternoon trading, Synairgen shares held steady at 16.75p.

 -- Adds Richard Griffiths stake news, share price --

Synairgen PLC pleased with further positive data from lead COPD drug

Richard Marsden, chief executive of Synairgen plc (LON:SYN), tells Proactive's Andrew Scott data from the ongoing phase II study of their SNG001 drug suggests it's having the desired effect in boosting the antiviral defences of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)...

on 28/6/18