The data consolidates the “strong competitive position” of DMX-200 as Dimerix moves towards its own advanced-stage clinical trials.
Biotech company Dimerix (ASX:DXB) had some more positive news flow for investors this morning, after highlighting new studies which show the potential for its DMX-200 treatment as a complementary therapy to other compounds.
The company said that when combined with other treatments, the use of DMX-200 can result in “significantly greater reduction” of signalling in receptors that lead to inflammatory diseases of the kidney and lung.
The results add another promising data point for the company, as it builds towards Phase 3 trials this year for its proprietary DMX-200 drug in the treatment of FSGS (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis), a rare kidney disease.
Promising new data
DMX-200 is known as a Phase 3 CCR2 inhibitor, which works to inhibit receptors that foster inflammation and fibrosis in the kidney.
Recent results show that when combined with other treatments, it works to further enhance the receptor blocker function, which could result in a great outcome for patients.
One of those other treatments is known as the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), where previous studies by Dimerix have supported the need to combine ARB treatments with its own CCR2 inhibitor to “fully stop signalling of either receptor”.
Today, the company confirmed that the use of sparsentan, a dual endothelin A and angiotensin inhibitor, has the same effectiveness as other ARBs in blocking disease receptors. And importantly, “the addition of a CCR2 inhibitor enhanced that effect”, DMX said.
Sparsentan is a compound that announced positive Phase 3 data in FSGS patients in January 2021 and, if approved, could be the preferred alternative to traditional ARBs in the treatment of FSGS.
“This data indicates that sparsentan could be used as an alternative to an ARB, such as irbesartan, as the adjunct therapy with DMX-200,” the company said.
The outcome for patients receiving both sparsentan and DMX-200 could be significantly improved. So, sparsentan is not perceived as a competitor in development, but rather a complimentary therapy.
Patent application
Dimerix also announced new evidence which shows a “functional interaction” between the CCR2 receptors that DMX-200 works to inhibit, and another receptor called endothelin A.
The evidence shows that the “simultaneous inhibition” of both CCR2 and endothelin A is required to fully stop signalling from those receptors.
As a result, DMX-200 may have a “strongly beneficial effect for patients receiving new compounds in clinical development” for two other inhibitors – the sparsentan treatment, and a separate treatment called atrasentan.
In light of those promising results, Dimerix has lodged an additional patent application to ensure it maintains ownership of the additional benefits of DMX-200 as an adjunct therapy.
The patent is titled “Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases”, with filing number 2021900862.
Its pending approval will further consolidate the “strong competitive position” of DMX-200 as development work continues this year, Dimerix said.
This article was developed in collaboration with Dimerix, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
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