Algernon Pharmaceuticals, a Canadian drug development company in the clinical stage, has announced that they will be presenting the results of their phase 2a study on NP-120 (Ifenprodil) for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic cough at the upcoming American Cough Conference.
Ifenprodil is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that targets the NMDA-type subunit 2B (GluN2B), thereby inhibiting glutamate signaling. This innovative treatment represents a first-in-class option for patients with IPF and chronic cough.
The American Cough Conference serves as a biennial educational platform for healthcare professionals engaged in cough research and management. Dr. Peter Dicpinigaitis, the conference chair, expressed his enthusiasm for Algernon’s findings, stating that he is intrigued by the potential of Ifenprodil in addressing cough related to IPF and refractory chronic cough.
Algernon specializes in drug re-purposing by exploring the use of approved drugs for new disease indications, with a focus on facilitating their transition to new clinical trials in a safe and efficient manner. Their approach involves developing new formulations and securing regulatory approvals in various global markets.
Recently, Algernon released additional data from their phase 2a study on Ifenprodil, which demonstrated a significant improvement in reducing patient cough compared to initial reports. A statistical analysis conducted by Dr. Jacky Smith, the company’s lead scientific and medical advisor, revealed notable reductions in mean objective 24-hour and waking cough counts after four and 12 weeks of treatment.
Christopher Moreau, the CEO of Algernon, commented on the positive implications of the new data, stating that Ifenprodil’s potential as an effective cough treatment has been further validated. He emphasized the importance of exploring its efficacy in patients with chronic cough in the absence of IPF, noting the challenges historically associated with treating cough in IPF patients.
