InflaRx's Phase 2a Study on Oral C5aR Inhibitor Shows Promise

InflaRx Takes Significant Step in Phase 2a Study

InflaRx N.V. (NASDAQ: IFRX), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to pioneering anti-inflammatory therapies targeting the complement system, has made a significant leap forward in its clinical research. The company announced the dosing of the first patient in its Phase 2a basket trial, which evaluates its oral C5aR inhibitor, INF904, aimed at chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). This trial marks a key milestone in developing effective treatments for these challenging conditions.

Excitement for the INF904 Trial

Camilla Chong, MD, Chief Medical Officer of InflaRx, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the commencement of the trial. “We have successfully dosed the first patient at one of our state-of-the-art U.S. sites, and I commend our team for their swift execution of this vital study,” she remarked. Dr. Chong highlighted that there is compelling evidence supporting the anti-inflammatory efficacy of INF904, suggesting its potential to address significant medical needs within CSU and HS as well as other immuno-inflammatory conditions.

Details on the Phase 2a Study

The Phase 2a trial is a multi-center, open-label study set to include 75 patients suffering from moderate-to-severe CSU and HS. Over four weeks of treatment, the study seeks to evaluate several dosing regimens of INF904, gathering crucial safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) data while also looking for clinical benefits. Importantly, this basket study employs a commercially viable INF904 formulation that promises drug exposures similar to those observed in earlier trials.

Upon completing the initial treatment phase, each patient will undergo a follow-up period of four weeks to monitor longer-term outcomes and effects. Preliminary data is anticipated in the summer of 2025, paving the way for a larger, more extensive Phase 2b study expected by late 2025.

Patient Groups and Study Parameters

The trial assigns doses for the CSU group to three study arms with a total of 45 participants. Study Arms 1 and 2 involve patients randomized at a 1:1 ratio, receiving doses of INF904 at 60 mg or 120 mg administered twice daily. Meanwhile, Study Arm 3 will see anti-IgE treatment non-responders receiving a 120 mg dosage twice daily. Alongside measuring safety and PK parameters, the study will evaluate the efficacy of CSU treatments using the Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7), Hives Severity Score (HSS7), and Itch Severity Score (ISS7) at the treatment's conclusion.

For the HS patient group, which includes 30 individuals randomized into three dosing arms, the study will administer doses of INF904 at 60 mg, 90 mg, or 120 mg twice daily. Assessments will focus not only on safety and PK but also on HS-specific efficacy measures, including total abscess counts, inflammatory nodules, and global impressions of HS-related challenges, with a strong emphasis on quality of life outcomes for all participants.

Significant Market Potential for INF904

InflaRx leverages its market analysis to highlight that both CSU and HS hold considerable potential, with projected addressable markets exceeding $1 billion for INF904. Moreover, the company anticipates that INF904 could unlock promising opportunities in other areas related to immuno-dermatology and immuno-inflammatory diseases, such as nephrology, neurology, and hematology. While the focus remains on immediacy with CSU and HS, InflaRx is actively evaluating broader implications through potential collaborations.

Understanding INF904

INF904 stands out as an orally administered small molecule that inhibits the C5a receptor, showing promising anti-inflammatory effects in various pre-clinical models. Distinctively, INF904 shows minimal inhibition of the cytochrome P450 3A4/5 (CYP3A4/5) enzymes, which are essential for metabolizing many drugs, including glucocorticoids—an advantage that could enhance its therapeutic profile.

Initial findings from a first-in-human study indicated that INF904 is well tolerated, showcasing a broad safety margin across multiple doses ranging from 3 mg to 240 mg and extending to 90 mg twice a day for a period of 14 days. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data provided by this research underscore INF904's promising prospects as a leading contender in its class, achieving over 90% blockade of C5a-induced neutrophil activation during the dosing periods.

About InflaRx

Founded in 2007, InflaRx (NASDAQ: IFRX) is dedicated to advancing anti-inflammatory therapies, leveraging their proprietary technologies aimed at both the complement activation factor C5a and its receptor C5aR. C5a is pivotal in the inflammatory response underlying various respiratory, autoimmune, and dermatological diseases. InflaRx's flagship candidate, vilobelimab, is a first-in-class anti-C5a monoclonal antibody which has demonstrated promising results in clinical studies for several indications. Alongside INF904, InflaRx is poised to make significant contributions to treatment advancements in inflammation-driven diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main focus of the Phase 2a study?

The Phase 2a study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness and safety of the oral C5aR inhibitor INF904 for treating chronic spontaneous urticaria and hidradenitis suppurativa.

How many patients are involved in the study?

The study aims to involve a total of 75 patients, segmented into groups for various dosing regimens and evaluations.

What are the anticipated outcomes for the study?

Expected outcomes include safety data, pharmacokinetic profiling, and clinical efficacy measurements for both CSU and HS patients over the treatment period.

What advantages does INF904 offer?

INF904 offers a targeted approach to inhibiting C5a's inflammatory effects with minimal interference with crucial metabolic enzymes, enhancing its therapeutic potential.

What future opportunities does InflaRx see for INF904?

InflaRx anticipates significant market opportunities beyond CSU and HS, potentially expanding into other diseases within immuno-dermatology, nephrology, neurology, and hematology.

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