ProMetic’s Experimental IPF Therapy PBI-4050 Demonstrates Anti-Fibrotic Properties in Human Cells

ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. recently validated the potential for its experimental drug target PBI-4050 to treat patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Two presentations at the 2015 European Renal Association Annual Meeting identified that PBI-4050 reduces fibrosis in human cells.

“Our data correlates the regulation activity of PBI-4050 on key fibrotic biomarkers and the resulting improved kidney function,” stated Dr. Lyne Gagnon, Head of Research and Development and Preclinical Research at ProMetic. “In fact, we have observed this in all major organs including the pancreas, liver, lungs and heart.”

In the study that Dr. Gagnon presented at the ERA meeting entitled “Oral Treatment with PBI-4050 Reduces Kidney Fibrosis”, data revealed that PBI-4050 negatively regulates pro-fibrotic growth factors and positively regulates remodeling enzymes in both human kidney cells and normal human dermal fibroblasts. These results mirrored some of those identified in other preclinical studies using several different animal models.

“This is very important data because it confirms that the anti-fibrotic mechanism of action of PBI-4050 is similar in humans and in animals,” said Dr. John Moran, Chief Medical Officer of ProMetic.

Dr. Gagnon also presented another poster related to PBI-4050’s efficacy, with data generated from animal models of fibrosis. In “PBI-4050 Protects Against Renal and Pancreatic Fibrosis in Type II Diabetes,” the research team at ProMetic induced diabetes in mice and treated the mice orally with PBI-4050 for 130 days. Renal fibrosis was reduced in the treated mice, and insulin production was largely preserved.

“These results provide further support for our belief that the efficacy of PBI-4050 demonstrated in multiple preclinical models will translate into clinical benefit in patients suffering from fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or chronic kidney disease associated with diabetes,” said Dr. Moran.

PBI-4050 actively targets components of pathways that culminate in fibrosis and so far demonstrates excellent safety and efficacy profiles. Phase 2 clinical trials are currently evaluating PBI-4050 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, as well as patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. ProMetic is looking to also begin Phase 2 clinical trials for patients with chronic kidney disease associated with diabetes, illustrating the versatility of this anti-fibrotic treatment.