Iptacopan

--- Ruxoprubart (NM8074) met all clinical endpoints, offering a safe, differentiated treatment for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH). Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare hematological (Blood) disorder. Regulatory approval for the Phase II trial in PNH subjects was granted based on the safety profile of healthy subjects in the Phase I trial. Interim results from this 12-subject, three-month, multi-dose Phase II efficacy trial are compelling. The drug was safe and well-tolerated in all treated PNH subjects with expected safety & efficacy, meeting all clinical endpoints with no reported side effects. In this efficacy trial, Ruxoprubart: Protected PNH Red Blood cells against lysis and enabled complete transfusion avoidance, meeting the primary endpoint. Increased hemoglobin levels above baseline by 1.4 to 2.0 g/dL in most subjects, with some showing intra-subject hemoglobin increase of 1.5 to 4.3 g/dL, exceeding the threshold set for the primary endpoint. An average hemoglobin increase of >1.6 g/dL was observed across the cohort from baseline to the end of the treatment period. Reduced LDH levels to baseline, meeting the primary efficacy endpoint. Significantly increased PNH Type III clone size by protecting PNH Red Blood Cells from complement-mediated lysis. Allowed normal pathogenic clearance in all treated PNH subjects, as infection cleared as expected. The regulatory agency has recently approved a once-weekly subcutaneous protocol for Ruxoprubart — allowing for self-administration and offering a distinct advantage over Apellis, which requires twice-weekly dosing. Ruxoprubart effectively inhibited the Alternative Pathway (AP) without affecting the Classical Pathway (CP) in the trial. More importantly, the FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to Ruxoprubart for treating PNH. A Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) application for Ruxoprubart in PNH will soon be filed for FDA review. Ruxoprubart is set to be developed as a novel treatment for several complement-mediated disorders, including but not limited to renal, hematological, dermatological, and ocular diseases. CLEVELAND, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NovelMed is pleased to announce positive 12-week interim results from the ongoing multi-dose Phase II trial of Ruxoprubart, a novel complement-targeting immunotherapy, in adult patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH). These interim data demonstrate that Ruxoprubart, administered as monotherapy, was safe, well-tolerated, and met all primary efficacy endpoints. Ruxoprubart achieved transfusion avoidance, increased hemoglobin levels, reduced LDH, and increased PNH clone size — key outcomes that contributed to improved disease control and enhanced quality of life for PNH patients. “The promising interim results from our Phase II PNH study solidify Ruxoprubart as a novel treatment for patients with advanced hematological conditions, offering hope where existing therapies fall short. This achievement not only underscores our commitment to advancing Ruxoprubart, an immunotherapy for PNH, but also marks a significant step toward addressing critical unmet needs within this patient population," said Dr. Rekha Bansal, CEO. "I extend my sincere gratitude to the PNH subjects and investigators whose dedication has been instrumental in this success. We are eager to present our findings to regulatory authorities and proceed with the Phase III trial." Figure. NovelMed Scientist Prepares Complement Test Assays to Support Clinical Development of Ruxoprubart (NM8074) for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH). Ruxoprubart works by binding to Bb and selectively inhibiting the protease activity of the Alternative Pathway C3 convertase, while preserving the Classical Pathway. By acting proximally in the Alternative Pathway, Ruxoprubart provides complete control over both intravascular and extravascular hemolysis, resulting in marked increases in hemoglobin levels observed in this trial. These findings support the drug’s advancement as a novel, next-generation immunotherapy for the treatment of PNH and a broad range of hematological, renal, inflammatory, and ocular diseases. “We are excited to announce that our Alternative Pathway strategy for treating PNH is delivering exceptional results,” said Mr. Alex Kumar, Chief Strategy Advisor at NovelMed. “These data reinforce our confidence as we look forward to working with the regulatory agency to bring Ruxoprubart to PNH patients without delay. Our mission is to transform the lives of chronically ill patients for whom an ideal treatment has yet to be discovered.” Clinical Study Overview and Efficacy Summary in PNH This Phase II trial was initiated following the successful completion of a Phase I study involving 40 (forty) healthy volunteers. Ruxoprubart was well tolerated across all dose levels, ranging from 0.3 to 20 mg/kg, with no safety concerns. The drug demonstrated selective inhibition of the Alternative Pathway through Bb binding, without affecting the Classical Pathway. These promising safety findings paved the way for regulatory approval to initiate a Phase II study in patients with PNH. This ongoing 12-week clinical trial of Ruxoprubart is an open-label, multi-dose study in treatment-naïve adult subjects with PNH. The primary objectives are to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of Ruxoprubart as a monotherapy in the Alternative Pathway-mediated lysis of Red Blood Cells. To date, 10 out of 12 PNH subjects have completed the study. Subjects 11 & 12 have been enrolled to complete the two-cohort trial. Interim results confirm that Ruxoprubart achieved all primary efficacy endpoints, delivering sustained clinical benefit in PNH. The primary efficacy endpoints include: Transfusion Avoidance : PNH patients typically require multiple blood transfusions to maintain normal hemoglobin levels. Ruxoprubart effectively protected PNH Type III cells from Alternative Pathway-mediated destruction, resulting in complete transfusion avoidance and successfully meeting the primary efficacy endpoint. Hemoglobin Increase : PNH patients experience reduced hemoglobin levels, leading to severe anemia. Ruxoprubart increased hemoglobin levels above baseline by 1.4 to 2.0 g/dL in most subjects, with some showing intra-subject increases ranging from 1.5 to 4.3 g/dL, surpassing the efficacy threshold defined for the primary endpoint. An average increase of >1.6 g/dL in hemoglobin was observed across the cohort from the beginning to the end of the treatment period. LDH Reduction : PNH patients experience severe lysis of Red Blood Cells (RBCs), leading to elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. By controlling complement-mediated hemolysis, Ruxoprubart reduced LDH levels to baseline, achieving the primary efficacy endpoint. Preservation of PNH Cells : Continuous lysis of Red Blood Cells in PNH leads to a dramatic reduction in total RBC count, often exceeding 80 to 90%. By effectively preventing this lysis, Ruxoprubart significantly preserved PNH cells, resulting in a substantial increase in the total PNH clone size and hemoglobin, successfully meeting the primary efficacy endpoint. Pathogenic Clearance : As expected, Ruxoprubart facilitated effective pathogenic clearance across all treated PNH subjects. In summary, the observed changes in efficacy parameters support the drug's mechanism of action and validate Ruxoprubart’s potential as a highly effective monotherapy for PNH. “We are thrilled to share these data, which demonstrate the potential of Ruxoprubart in advanced PNH, and look forward to working with regulatory authorities to bring this new immunotherapy to this patient community,” said Mr. Robert Bard, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at NovelMed. “It’s very clear that we are on a promising path with exciting Phase II data in this serious hematological disorder.” Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) PNH is a rare, acquired hematologic disorder in which Red Blood Cells lack protective surface proteins due to a mutation in the phosphatidylinositol glycan class A (PIGA) gene, leaving them vulnerable to complement-mediated destruction. In healthy individuals, Type I RBCs express complement regulatory proteins and are fully protected from complement-mediated destruction. In contrast, PNH patients have a significant percentage of Type III RBCs, which completely lack these protective proteins and are therefore highly susceptible to Alternative Pathway-mediated lysis. PNH is primarily an Alternative Pathway-mediated disease, with no involvement of the Classical or Lectin pathways in its pathology. Key laboratory markers indicative of disease progression include reduced Type III Red Blood Cells, low hemoglobin, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and an increased need for blood transfusions. These markers reflect the underlying hemolytic anemia, which in turn leads to debilitating symptoms such as chronic fatigue, pain, jaundice, and organ damage. As the disease progresses, it significantly affects the patient’s quality of life and can ultimately result in life-threatening complications and death if not properly managed. While Soliris® (eculizumab) is the current FDA-approved standard of care for PNH – administered via intravenous infusion to provide C5 blockade – clinical limitations persist. Up to 88% of Soliris-treated patients continue to experience persistent anemia, with more than one-third of them requiring blood transfusions at least once every year. Despite its effectiveness in some patients, Soliris does not fully address the needs of many patients, as a significant proportion remain anemic, fatigued, and require blood transfusions, highlighting the need for specific, effective, and comprehensive therapies. Nearly all FDA-approved therapies for PNH and other complement-mediated disorders, oral or intravenous, suffer from the well-documented Black Box warning label because of the broad immunosuppression of the Classical Pathway, elevating the risk of life-threatening infections. Ruxoprubart offers a selective, upstream, and targeted approach to Alternative Pathway inhibition, without compromising the Classical Pathway, offering the best-in-class novel therapy. These attributes position Ruxoprubart as a safer and more effective treatment for patients with PNH. Ruxoprubart (NM8074) Ruxoprubart, an engineered human immunoglobulin, exhibits dual specificity: 1) it blocks only the Alternative Pathway, dysregulated by the disease, and 2) it binds Bb which has no binding to Factor B. Ruxoprubart met all primary endpoints in the interim evaluation of the ongoing Phase II clinical trial in PNH, positioning it as the first immunotherapy in this indication with the potential for approval without a Black Box warning. This immunotherapy has demonstrated a safe and well-tolerated profile across all five cohorts in the Phase I trial, including the highest dose of 20 mg/kg. Our findings confirm that the drug selectively blocks the Alternative Pathway. This differentiated, novel mechanism sets Ruxoprubart apart from other complement blockers (Soliris®, Ultomiris®, Empaveli®, Voydeya®, and Fabhalta®) currently approved or in development worldwide. Voydeya®, which received FDA approval in 2024 as a combination therapy, was developed by Achillion and acquired by AstraZeneca for $930 million. Despite its limited clinical efficacy, Voydeya®'s reliance on co-administration with a C5 inhibitor restricts its potential as a standalone therapy. Unlike Fabhalta®, which targets Factor B, Ruxoprubart (NM8074) binds to Bb, which is generated only upon activation of the Alternative Pathway, offering a unique mechanism of action as monotherapy. As a novel monotherapy with a unique, upstream, and pathway-specific mechanism, Ruxoprubart is emerging as a best-in-class candidate for the treatment of PNH and numerous complement-mediated diseases. NovelMed Therapeutics ( www.novelmed.com ) NovelMed is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative novel biologics (immunotherapies) to treat a wide range of complement-mediated diseases. NovelMed proudly leads the development of Alternative Pathway-specific antibodies (NM8074, NM5072, and NM8070) to address a wide range of chronic complement-mediated disorders. The company is actively conducting a Phase II clinical trial in treatment-naïve PNH subjects to expedite the availability of this promising treatment. Additionally, the FDA has approved Phase II studies for several rare diseases, including but not limited to Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS), C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G), IgA Nephropathy (IgAN), ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (AAV), and Dermatomyositis (DM). We are committed to delivering life-changing therapies to patients across hematology, ophthalmology, nephrology, dermatology, and neurology. NovelMed is currently seeking partnerships to advance the development of Ruxoprubart to approval in several chronic diseases. We are open to discussions regarding investment, out-licensing, or acquisition. For more details regarding our progress, please visit www.novelmed.com/news . Watch our introductory Video to learn more about NovelMed. Contact: Ya Gao, MS NovelMed Communication Team BD@novelmed.com (216) 440 2696 Figure. NovelMed Scientist Prepares Clinical Trial Samples for Analysis https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae2c0bfc-ff88-486d-a796-f2977947c8a4 Figure. NovelMed Scientist Prepares Clinical Trial Samples for Analysis Figure. NovelMed Scientist Prepares Clinical Trial Samples for Analysis (Available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae2c0bfc-ff88-486d-a796-f2977947c8a4) Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. 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同写意年度巨献！！7月25-26日，邀您相聚金鸡湖畔，与5000人一起为中国医药创新“同写意”代谢功能障碍相关脂肪性肝炎（MASH）是脂肪性肝病（SLD）的严重形式，全球约25%的成年人患有脂肪肝，其中20%-30%会进展为MASH，患者基数超3亿人。若未及时干预，MASH可发展为肝硬化、肝癌，甚至需肝移植。据Frost & Sullivan预测，到2030年全球MASH药物市场规模将达322亿美元，中国市场规模亦有望突破355亿元人民币。图片来源：方正证劵-中国生物制药-港股公司深度报告：全面转型创新进入收获期BD&MA+国际化打开全新战略空间）2024年，Madrigal的口服小分子药物Rezdiffra（Resmetirom）获FDA加速批准，成为40年来首个MASH治疗药物，首年销售额即达1.8亿美元。Rezdiffra通过激活肝脏甲状腺激素受体β（THR-β）调节脂质代谢，临床Ⅲ期数据显示，治疗组肝纤维化改善率达26%，显著优于安慰剂组的14%。正是这一突破点燃了行业的信心，MASH从“研发黑洞”迈向商业化蓝海。TONACEA0120年折戟MNC的“天坑”困局MASH致病机制异常复杂，涉及脂肪堆积、炎症、纤维化等多环节，且缺乏可靠生物标志物。FDA要求药物需通过肝穿刺活检验证“纤维化改善且MASH不恶化”的双终点，导致临床开发成本高、周期长。近二十年来，MASH研发失利超过90%。强生、默沙东、礼来等跨国药企的20余条管线折戟。默沙东的MK-3655（GLP-1/GCGR双靶点）因疗效不足终止、诺和诺德的司美格鲁肽（GLP-1单靶点）在Ⅱ期试验中未能显著改善纤维化、吉利德的ACC抑制剂Selonsertib因Ⅲ期失败黯然退场... ...幸存者寥寥，更加让想要入局MASH领域的药企望而却步。TONACEA02GSK以身入局5月14日，GSK宣布以12亿美元预付款收购Boston Pharmaceuticals的FGF21类似物Efimosfermin，里程碑金额高达8亿美元。Efimosfermin已完成Ⅱ期试验，计划进入Ⅲ期临床，主要针对MASH和酒精性肝病（ALD）。Efimosfermin通过蛋白改造延长半衰期，实现每月一次皮下注射（同类药物需每周给药）达到每月一次给药的“潜在同类最佳”，并且其Ⅱ期数据显示，45.2%患者肝纤维化改善≥1阶段，显著优于安慰剂组的20.6%还能同步降低甘油三酯和血糖，契合MASH患者常伴代谢综合征的特点。GSK在肝病领域已有siRNA疗法GSK’990（针对特定患者亚群），未来或探索与Efimosfermin联用，覆盖更广泛人群。此外，GSK这次的快速决策也凸显了其战略灵活性——就在收购前一天，GSK因临床数据不佳终止了TIGIT抗体Belrestotug的研发（耗资6.25亿美元），迅速将资源转向MASH赛道。TONACEA03MASH的蓝海是砸出来的MASH长期以来缺乏有效治疗手段，患者需依赖生活方式干预或肝移植，但全球患者基数庞大（中国预计2030年达3.15亿）。2024年可以说是MASH领域的元年。2024年3月，Madrigal的Resmetirom（THR-β激动剂）获FDA批准，定价4.74万美元/年，成为40年来首个MASH药物，标志着市场正式开启。MNC们也通过BD交易抢占先机。诺华收购信瑞诺医药扩充肾病管线（含MASH相关药物Iptacopan）、罗氏与锐格医药达成8.5亿美元合作开发CDK抑制剂、GSK、诺华等剥离非核心业务（如仿制药板块），集中资源投入代谢性疾病领域。2018年强生与Arrowhead的合作共同开发和推广乙肝RNAi疗法ARO-HBV。然而2023年2月，强生决定退回在研的siRNA药物权益给Arrowhead。MASH可能给强生也造成了不小的“心理阴影”，截至2024年底，强生已经没有MASH的管线。同样在2018年默沙东与NGM Biopharmaceuticals合作开发的MASH产品MK-3655，也因为疗效问题在2023年终止了研发。2019年吉利德支付1500万美元首付款用于和韩国Yuhan公司同开发用于治疗MASH所致的晚期纤维化的新治疗方案，然后吉利德接连败退，最后宣布于去年10月份宣布已终止与韩国生物技术公司Yuhan就两种MASH疗法的合作和许可协议。2020年默沙东又以8.6亿美元从韩美制药购买了Efinopegdutide在韩国地区以外的全球开发、生产和商业化独家许可权，然而Efinopegdutide在此之前还被强生买下过，但是强生在2019年7月选择终止合作并退回了Efinopegdutide的全球权益。......虽然MASH赛道有的药企节节败退，但是Rezdiffra的上市验证了THR-β靶点的成药性，也让市场看到了可能性。如今，已有4加药企的产品已推进到临床II期阶段，分别是Terns Pharmaceuticals的TERN-501、Viking Therapeutics的VK2809（Ⅱb期纤维化改善率57.1%）、国内歌礼制药的ASC41（肝脂降幅达68.2%）以及海思科的HSK31679。诺和诺德、礼来等也凭借GLP-1药物在肥胖症市场的优势，正探索其在MASH的延伸价值。例如，司美格鲁肽联合GIP激动剂可增强减重与代谢改善效果。国内正大天晴的拉尼兰诺（PPAR激动剂）、海思科的HSK31679（THR-β激动剂）以及恒瑞、中国生物制药等亦在加速布局。Rezdiffra的成功和GSK的入局都在不断证明着MAS赛道的价值所在。MASH市场的蓝海亦是药企们一步一个脚印砸出来的。靶点的选择（如FGF21的长效优势）、临床设计的优化（如非侵入性诊断替代肝活检）和联合疗法探索，将成为破局的关键所在。— 未来展望 —“高投入、高风险、高回报”可以说是最适合MASH赛道的概括。尽管前景光明，但MASH研发仍需面对高失败率、漫长周期和激烈竞争。MASH的蓝海市场由资本与技术共同“砸开”，而那些具备差异化数据或成本优势的企业，才能在百亿市场中分得蛋糕。