CF Drug Developer N30 Pharmaceuticals Is Now Nivalis Therapeutics

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by Isaura Santos |

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nivalisN30 Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical firm committed to developing product candidates to address cystic fibrosis (CF), recently announced that the company has changed its name to Nivalis Therapeutics, Inc. Nivalis Therapeutics’ lead product candidate is N91115, a new inhibitor of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) for the treatment of CF.

The company’s new name, Nivalis Therapeutics, is derived from the Latin term that means ‘of snow.’ In the same way a snowflake is unique, the company believes that so too is each person with CF. With more than 1,800 known mutations of the gene responsible for CF, treating the disease requires solutions as unique as snowflakes.

“The organization has transitioned from an early-stage Company focused on research to a clinical-stage Company that is now focused on translating precision-based scientific discoveries into patient benefit. As part of this evolution, we believe that it is important for the Company name to better articulate the commitment, passion and energy that we are bringing to the cystic fibrosis community as we strive to develop and bring to market innovative solutions that may improve and extend the lives of people managing this disease,” said Jon Congleton who is the president and CEO of Nivalis Therapeutics.

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N91115 was orally administered in healthy volunteers and was found to be well-tolerated by CF patients with the F508del-CFTR mutation, which affects approximately 90% of all CF patients. Other preclinical studies have already demonstrated the compound’s efficiency in increasing the function of F508del-CFTR.

“We are proud to be backed by this impressive group of new and existing investors, and to advance the clinical trial program for [Nivalis Therapeutics] N30 Pharma’s lead compound, N91115, in the treatment of cystic fibrosis,” said the chairman of the board of directors of Nivalis Therapeutics, Howard Furst, M.D. “N91115 is the first oral GSNOR inhibitor to enter clinical development, representing an important step towards identifying treatments to address a disease with significant unmet need.”

Patients with a mutation in the F508del-CFTR gene produce an abnormal form of the CFTR protein leading to an inability to properly transport fluid. Nivalis Therapeutics expects N91115 to not only increase CFTR function, but also to restore the adequate hydration to critical organs, particularly in the lungs.