Serelaxin

AstraZeneca shared news it cut AZD3427 from its pipeline alongside the removal of two other new molecular entities.\n AstraZeneca executives have told Fierce Biotech they still see potential in harnessing the relaxin hormone to treat heart failure despite abandoning work on one of two clinical-stage candidates. As part of its full-year 2025 financial results (PDF), the U.K.-based Big Pharma revealed that it removed a long-acting relaxin-2 analog called AZD3427 from its pipeline, citing underwhelming efficacy in a phase 2 trial.There is a history of studying relaxin in cardiovascular settings—Novartis started a phase 3 heart failure trial of a recombinant relaxin-2 peptide in 2013—but preclinical evidence of the molecule’s vasodilatory, anti‐inflammatory and antifibrotic effects has yet to translate into clinical success.AstraZeneca identified the short half-lives of earlier candidates as a potential cause of the failures. To fix the problem, the company created a relaxin-2 mimic fusion protein and attached a fragment to create a candidate with a half-life measured in days rather than hours. However, AstraZeneca has now stopped development of AZD3427 after completing a phase 2 trial in 260 people with heart failure.   While AZD3427 has been sunk by efficacy, the company is continuing to develop the oral relaxin drug candidate AZD5462. AstraZeneca has called (PDF) the candidate the first small molecule targeting relaxin biology to enter clinical trials. Data from a phase 2b trial of stable patients with chronic heart failure are due in the second half of 2026.During a press conference this morning, Sharon Barr, Ph.D., executive vice president of biopharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, told Fierce the company is moving forward with AZD5462 “because we think this is a potentially important molecule.”“One of the things that we have learned from competitor studies is that dosing matters,” Barr continued. “You really have to find that perfect space between efficacy and congestion, and we think we\'ve put in the hard yards to really understand the posology there, and we\'re moving forward with our existing program.”AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot also told Fierce during the call that work on the relaxin program is a case study of “what is so exciting in this industry at this present time.”Soriot pointed to the likes of ACE inhibitors and SGLT2 drugs as examples of the progress made in recent years to treat specific groups of cardiovascular patients.“There\'s more and more of those technologies, and we need just to pick the right products to really help patients with heart disease,” the CEO added. AstraZeneca disclosed its discontinuation of AZD3427 alongside the removal of two other new molecular entities from the pipeline. The drugmaker confirmed the removal of AZD0233, a CX3CR1 modulator that was in development as a treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy. AstraZeneca terminated a phase 1 trial of the candidate last month over an adverse finding in a nonclinical, chronic toxicology study.The company also revealed it had axed a COVID-19 vaccine program. AstraZeneca moved the mRNA viruslike particle vaccine program into phase 1 in late 2023. Recently, the company reported that a vaccine candidate was well tolerated compared to Pfizer and BioNTech’s Comirnaty and generated similar immunogenicity at one-third of the dosage. 

Montreal, Quebec – November 19, 2025 – Thryv Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing a series of novel serum glucocorticoid inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) inhibitors for inherited cardiac arrhythmias, cardiometabolic diseases, and cardiomyopathies, today announced that new preclinical data will be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025, taking place November 8–10 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions bring together global experts to exchange the latest advancements in cardiovascular science, clinical care, and research. Thryv Therapeutics is honored to contribute to this important dialogue with its recent research highlighting the potential of SGK1 inhibition as a novel therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. Dr. Rudolph currently serves as Head of Global Medical Affairs and Cross-TA Medical Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim, where she leads a global transformation to build a market-leading Medical Affairs organization focused on external engagement, digital/AI integration, evidence generation, advanced analytics, and learning. “We are thrilled to welcome Amy Rudolph to our Board of Directors,” said Paul Truex, Chairman and CEO of Thryv Therapeutics. “Her extensive experience in medical affairs, evidence generation, and cross-functional drug development will be invaluable as we progress our SGK1 inhibitor pipeline toward late-stage clinical studies.” “We are also deeply grateful to Scott Weiner for his many contributions to the Board of Directors,” added Truex. “We’re pleased that he will remain closely involved with Thryv in an advisory capacity.” Prior to joining Boehringer Ingelheim, Dr. Rudolph held leadership roles at Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation, where she served as Head of HCS (Healthcare Systems) Partnerships in Global Drug Development and Head of Evidence and Launch Excellence in Global Medical Affairs. Earlier in her career, she held key positions at Pfizer Inc., where she was responsible for the atherosclerosis and stroke platforms, early development, and licensing/technology evaluations, and began her scientific career with G.D. Searle/Pharmacia/Pfizer. Over the course of her career, Dr. Rudolph has played key roles in the development and launch of multiple cardiovascular therapies, including Inspra, Eliquis, Lipitor, Diovan, Diovan/HCT, Exforge, Tekturna, and Entresto, as well as in the development of Serelaxin and Amturnide. Dr. Rudolph earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Washington University in St. Louis and is an inventor on 13 patents and numerous scientific publications spanning preclinical research, drug development, and real-world evidence. “I am honored to join Thryv Therapeutics’ Board of Directors,” said Amy Rudolph. “Thryv’s science and patient-centered mission resonate deeply with me, and I look forward to supporting the company’s continued progress in addressing serious cardiovascular conditions.” Dr. Rudolph joins the Board of Directors as Scott Weiner, who has served as a valued member since 2021, transitions to an observer role. Mr. Weiner will remain on the Board of Directors of the company’s subsidiary, Thryv Therapeutics USA, Inc., while also serving as an advisor to the company. About Thryv’s SGK1 Inhibitor Platform Thryv Therapeutics is advancing a portfolio of potent and selective SGK1 (serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1) inhibitors that target the fundamental mechanisms driving electrical and structural remodeling in the heart. THRV-1268, the company’s lead clinical candidate, is a best-in-class, highly selective SGK1 inhibitor with the potential to transform the treatment landscape for Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AFib)—three serious cardiac conditions with urgent unmet medical needs. About Thryv Therapeutics Inc. Thryv Therapeutics Inc. is a privately owned company based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Thryv is pioneering a precision medicine approach to treat genetic channelopathies, cardiometabolic diseases, and cardiomyopathies with potent and highly selective inhibitors of serum glucocorticoid inducible kinase 1 (SGK1). For more information, please visit www.thryvtrx.com. Media Inquiries brittany@thryvtrx.com | 514 973 0915