Pulmatrix has announced the results of a clinical study showing that an iCALM (inhaled cationic airway lining modulator therapy) attenuated allergen-induced bronchitis in susceptible asthmatic patients.
The study concluded that iCALM is a novel inhaled therapeutic with a previously unexplored mechanism of action that can lead to better control of symptoms and lung function in patients with chronic airway diseases.
This conclusion was supported iCALM's anti-inflammatory effect, as manifest by the reduction of eosinophils in the airways after allergen challenge.
Pulmatrix chief medical officer and senior vice president John Hanrahan said these data in sensitive asthmatic patients validate the potential for iCALM to control patients' symptoms and improve lung function in a number of chronic inflammatory airway conditions.
"We are strongly committed to advancing a pipeline of iCALM therapies to treat chronic respiratory diseases, including COPD, asthma and cystic fibrosis," Hanrahan said.
All asthmatic patients in the study tolerated iCALM, Pulmatrix said.
As part of the study, the company conducted a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial of 7 mild atopic steroid-naive asthmatic patients.
Three twice-a-day doses of iCALM or matching placebo (isotonic saline) have been inhaled by the patients prior to an allergen inhalation challenge to an antigen identified by skin prick test.
The study assessed allergen-induced bronchitis by microscopic evaluation of the cellular content of sputum collected 8 hours after the inhaled allergen challenge.
Pulmatrix is a biotechnology company developing therapies for respiratory diseases. The company is developing two novel pulmonary drug platforms, iCALM and iSPERSE (inhaled small particles easily respirable and emittable), for the prevention, treatment and control of respiratory diseases.
