Frontiers in Physiology publish data with C21 on pulmonary fibrosis
Vicore Pharma Holding (publ) (ticker:VICO) can today announce that preclinical data with C21 demonstrating good results has been accepted for publication.
A recently accepted manuscript entitled “The Selective Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Agonist, Compound 21, Attenuates the Progression of Lung Fibrosis and Pulmonary Hypertension in an Experimental Model of Bleomycin-Induced Lung Injury” (Rathinasabapathy et al., Front Physiol 2018, 9:180. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00180) reports about the anti-fibrotic effect of Vicore Pharma’s lead compound, C21, in one of the standard preclinical models for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which is pulmonary fibrosis in rodents induced by a single intra-tracheal installation of bleomycin.
C21 was applied to the animals according to two protocols, which both lasted 14 days: in one of the protocols, treatment was started on the day of bleomycin installation to test a preventive effect of C21 on the development of pulmonary fibrosis, in the other protocol, treatment with C21 was started on day 3 after bleomycin installation to test a therapeutic effect of C21 in animals with already established fibrosis. In both cases, treatment with C21 almost completely prevented the further development of fibrosis. Some of the markers such as collagens 1 and 3, TIMP or CTGF were reduced by C21 treatment down to levels in non-fibrotic lungs.
Of note, in addition to the anti-fibrotic effect, C21 treatment also attenuated pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling.
Thus, this study confirmed the therapeutic effect of C21 in pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension as observed in a model of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats (Bruce et al., Br J Pharmacol 2015, 172: 2219–2231).
“The prevention and - in the previous monocrotaline study - even reversal of pulmonary fibrosis in combination with a significant therapeutic effect on pulmonary hypertension gives hope that C21 will in the future not only improve the respiratory function in patients with IPF, but also help to treat the deathly complication of pulmonary hypertension” says Prof. Michael Katovich, senior author of both studies.
For further information, please contact
Ulrike Muscha Steckelings, CSO
M: +46 76 297 97 54 or e-mail: ulrike.steckelings@vicorepharma.com
About Vicore Pharma Holding
Vicore Pharma AB develops drugs that act through the AT2 receptor. The company’s drug candidate C21 aims to improve the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare disease for which C21 has been granted orphan drug designation both in the EU and USA. In addition, C21 is explored pre-clinically for a number of diseases where the AT2 receptor plays an important role. I-Tech AB is an associated company to Vicore Pharma Holding. The company has developed and commercialized Selektope®, an effective chemical agent used as an antifouling ingredient in antifouling paints. The companies are based in Astra Zeneca's Bioventurehub in Mölndal. The company's share (VICO) is listed for trading on Nasdaq First North in Stockholm with Erik Penser Bank as Certified Adviser. For more information, please refer to www.vicorepharma.com