#NACFC2016 – Promising Data on Inhaled Antifungal Therapy for CF to Be Presented

Pulmatrix announced that it will present promising new preclinical data on PUR1900, an investigative inhaled therapy for fungal lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, in a poster presentation at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC), taking place Oct. 27–29 in Florida.

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) often suffer from a condition called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), an allergy caused by fungal infections. These infections are usually treated with oral antifungals, like itraconazole. But high oral doses are necessary to get enough of the treatment through the bloodstream and into the lungs, where it can fight the infection, leading  to potentially serious side effects, including liver toxicity.

PUR1900 combines itraconazole with Pulmatrix’s dry powder delivery technology platform, called iSPERSE (inhaled small particles easily respirable and emitted), to maximize concentrations of the drug’s delivery to the lungs, and so reduce systemic side effects.

“The preclinical study comparing PUR1900 to the oral reference product shows that PUR1900 offers a significant advantage over the current standard of care for treating fungal infections in the lungs,” David Hava, PhD, Pulmatrix’s chief scientific officer, said in a company press release.

Data showed that Pulmatrix’s delivery platform successfully brought higher doses of the antifungal drug to the lungs compared to oral delivery. “The profile of PUR1900 demonstrated in this study, with high lung exposure and low systemic levels, should be well suited for treating fungal infections. Our goal is to translate this profile in our upcoming clinical trials which will help us establish optimal dosing parameters for patients,” added Hava.

Pulmatrix’s inhaled PUR1900  was designated an Orphan Drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August for the treatment of pulmonary fungal infections in patients with CF. The designation provides financial incentives for companies and a faster regulatory path to market therapies should they be approved.

The poster will be available to conference attendees during all conference days, the company said.