Eupraxia's DiffuSphere™ Technology Demonstrates Targeted Drug Release while Minimizing Systemic Exposure for a Period of More Than Six Months
Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ/TSX: EPRX) revealed new pharmacokinetic data from its Phase 2a Eosinophilic Esophagitis program, highlighting its DiffuSphere™ technology. The platform demonstrates targeted drug delivery maintaining therapeutic levels for over six months while minimizing systemic exposure. In clinical trials, DiffuSphere™ showed successful delivery of fluticasone propionate in both EoE and osteoarthritis patients. The technology's unique microsphere composition enables precise drug release into target tissues with a stable profile, achieving high local concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure. Clinical data showed steady drug levels of 1.5 pg/ml for six months in EoE patients at 4mg dose, and 10pg/ml at three months with 48mg dose.
Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ/TSX: EPRX) ha rivelato nuovi dati farmacocinetici dal suo programma di Fase 2a per l'Esofagite Eosinofila, evidenziando la sua tecnologia DiffuSphere™. La piattaforma dimostra di garantire una somministrazione mirata del farmaco mantenendo livelli terapeutici per oltre sei mesi, riducendo al minimo l'esposizione sistemica. Negli studi clinici, DiffuSphere™ ha mostrato una somministrazione efficace del propionato di fluticasone sia nei pazienti con EoE che in quelli con osteoartrite. La composizione unica delle microsfere della tecnologia consente un rilascio preciso del farmaco nei tessuti target con un profilo stabile, raggiungendo alte concentrazioni locali e minimizzando l'esposizione sistemica. I dati clinici hanno mostrato livelli costanti del farmaco di 1,5 pg/ml per sei mesi nei pazienti con EoE a una dose di 4 mg, e 10 pg/ml a tre mesi con una dose di 48 mg.
Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ/TSX: EPRX) reveló nuevos datos farmacocinéticos de su programa de Fase 2a para la Esofagitis Eosinofílica, destacando su tecnología DiffuSphere™. La plataforma demuestra una administración dirigida del fármaco manteniendo niveles terapéuticos por más de seis meses, mientras minimiza la exposición sistémica. En ensayos clínicos, DiffuSphere™ mostró una entrega exitosa de propionato de fluticasona tanto en pacientes con EoE como en aquellos con osteoartritis. La composición única de microsferas de la tecnología permite una liberación precisa del fármaco en tejidos objetivo con un perfil estable, logrando altas concentraciones locales y minimizando la exposición sistémica. Los datos clínicos mostraron niveles estables del fármaco de 1.5 pg/ml durante seis meses en pacientes con EoE a una dosis de 4 mg, y 10 pg/ml a los tres meses con una dosis de 48 mg.
유프락시아 제약 (NASDAQ/TSX: EPRX)는 에오신필 식도염 프로그램의 2a 단계에서 새로운 약리학적 데이터를 공개하며, DiffuSphere™ 기술를 강조했습니다. 이 플랫폼은 치료 수준을 6개월 이상 유지하면서 전신 노출을 최소화하며 약물의 목표 전달을 보여줍니다. 임상 시험에서 DiffuSphere™는 EoE 및 골관절염 환자 모두에게 플루티카손 프로피온산염의 성공적인 전달을 보여주었습니다. 이 기술의 독특한 마이크로스피어 구성은 목표 조직에 대한 정밀한 약물 방출을 가능하게 하여 안정적인 프로파일을 유지하며, 전신 노출을 최소화하면서 높은 국소 농도를 달성합니다. 임상 데이터는 EoE 환자에서 4mg 용량으로 6개월 동안 1.5 pg/ml의 안정적인 약물 수준을, 48mg 용량으로 3개월 동안 10 pg/ml의 수준을 보여주었습니다.
Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ/TSX: EPRX) a révélé de nouvelles données pharmacocinétiques issues de son programme de Phase 2a pour l'œsophagite éosinophile, mettant en avant sa technologie DiffuSphere™. La plateforme démontre une délivrance ciblée du médicament maintenant des niveaux thérapeutiques pendant plus de six mois tout en minimisant l'exposition systémique. Dans les essais cliniques, DiffuSphere™ a montré une délivrance réussie du propionate de fluticasone chez des patients atteints d'EoE et d'arthrose. La composition unique en microsphères de la technologie permet un relâchement précis du médicament dans les tissus cibles avec un profil stable, atteignant de fortes concentrations locales tout en minimisant l'exposition systémique. Les données cliniques ont montré des niveaux stables du médicament de 1,5 pg/ml pendant six mois chez des patients EoE à une dose de 4mg, et 10pg/ml après trois mois à une dose de 48mg.
Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ/TSX: EPRX) hat neue pharmakokinetische Daten aus seinem Phase 2a Programm zur eosinophilen Ösophagitis veröffentlicht, wobei die DiffuSphere™ Technologie hervorgehoben wird. Die Plattform zeigt eine gezielte Arzneimittelverabreichung, die therapeutische Werte über mehr als sechs Monate aufrechterhält und gleichzeitig die systemische Exposition minimiert. In klinischen Studien zeigte DiffuSphere™ eine erfolgreiche Verabreichung von Fluticasonpropionat sowohl bei EoE- als auch bei Osteoarthritis-Patienten. Die einzigartige Mikrosphärenzusammensetzung der Technologie ermöglicht eine präzise Freisetzung des Medikaments in die Zieltissue mit einem stabilen Profil, wodurch hohe lokale Konzentrationen bei minimaler systemischer Exposition erreicht werden. Klinische Daten zeigten konstante Arzneimittelwerte von 1,5 pg/ml über einen Zeitraum von sechs Monaten bei EoE-Patienten mit einer Dosis von 4 mg und 10 pg/ml nach drei Monaten bei einer Dosis von 48 mg.
- Successfully demonstrated long-lasting drug delivery over 6 months
- Phase 2b clinical study for osteoarthritis showed significant efficacy over placebo for up to 22 weeks
- Technology demonstrated 1000x higher local drug concentration compared to oral delivery
- Versatile platform applicable across multiple anatomic locations and drug classes
- None.
Insights
The DiffuSphere™ platform shows remarkable potential in drug delivery innovation. Key clinical data demonstrates 6+ months of sustained drug release with precise tissue targeting in both EoE and OA trials. The technology's ability to maintain 1000x higher local drug concentrations while reducing systemic exposure is particularly significant.
The platform's versatility across multiple anatomical locations and drug classes, including anesthetics and anti-infectives, suggests broad therapeutic applications. The successful Phase 2b results for EP-104IAR in OA, published in The Lancet and promising EoE trial data indicate strong clinical validation. The technology addresses critical limitations of conventional drug delivery systems, particularly the peak-trough pattern that often leads to side effects and reduced efficacy.
For investors, this represents a significant technological advancement with multiple revenue streams through various therapeutic applications. The platform's potential to improve existing FDA-approved drugs while reducing side effects could lead to valuable partnerships and licensing opportunities.
The market opportunity is substantial, particularly in the lead indications. The EoE market includes 450,000+ patients in the US alone, with increasing prevalence. The knee OA market is even larger, affecting over 30 million Americans, with 14 million experiencing knee pain or disability. The technology's ability to treat both knees simultaneously addresses a significant market need, as 70% of patients have bilateral knee pain.
The platform's competitive advantages include extended duration of effect, improved safety profile and convenience features like long shelf life and no refrigeration requirements. These factors position Eupraxia favorably in both the EoE and OA markets, where current treatments face limitations in efficacy duration and side effect profiles.
- DiffuSphere™ is designed to enable precise drug delivery at therapeutic dose levels directly into target tissues, enhancing efficacy while minimizing systemic drug levels to optimize safety
- In clinical trials, a single administration of DiffuSphere™ successfully delivered fluticasone propionate for at least six months in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis or osteoarthritis
- DiffuSphere™ has shown its versatility with various drug classes, supporting the possibility to treat multiple types of pain, infectious diseases, eye diseases and cancers
Most conventional drugs release in a pattern characterized by steep peaks and rapid declines in drug concentration, where peaks often lead to negative side effects, and troughs result in reduced efficacy. In contrast, DiffuSphere™ is a unique microsphere that is designed to enable precise drug release into target tissues with a flat, stable, and long-lasting profile, minimizing potential adverse events associated with high-dose systemic delivery.
What sets DiffuSphere™ apart is its composition: a pure drug crystal encased in a microns-thick polymer shell. Eupraxia's proprietary technology uses this polymer to precisely control a drug's release, ensuring high drug concentrations in the target tissues while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body. This innovative approach has been observed in Eupraxia's clinical programs, demonstrating precision, tolerability, and extended duration of delivering fluticasone propionate ("FP") directly to the intended tissues for EoE and knee osteoarthritis ("OA") patients.
"Our DiffuSphere™ platform is designed to enable us to deliver the right drug to the right place at the right time with a precise PK profile, aiming to ensure patients receive safe, effective, and durable treatment," said Eupraxia's CEO, Dr. James Helliwell. "We are excited about the broad-based potential of DiffuSphere™. The clinical data from EoE and OA, combined with our extensive non-clinical data showing precise delivery of numerous drugs in a broad array of target tissues, reinforces our optimism."
RESOLVE Trial Demonstrates Compelling Pharmacokinetics in the Esophagus
DiffuSphere™, when injected into the esophageal wall (submucosa), shows a treatment duration exceeding six months from a single injection, with predictable dose control. In Cohort 1 (4 mg FP), a steady level of 1.5 pg/ml was maintained for at least six months. In Cohort 5 (48 mg FP), 10pg/ml was observed at three months. With this steady, localized, and long-lasting delivery, key EoE disease measures, including patient symptoms, esophageal tissue health, and eosinophil counts, improved. This impact of the DiffuSphere™ technology was clearly demonstrated in a non-clinical study in pigs comparing local and systemic levels of FP after intraesophageal injection of EP-104GI versus oral gavage. Presented at the American College of Gastroenterology meeting (poster), the study revealed that esophageal tissue levels of fluticasone were more than 1000 times higher in the EP-104GI group compared to the oral gavage group, even at distances of several centimeters from the injection sites. Moreover, despite significantly higher local concentrations, systemic levels of fluticasone in the plasma were lower in the EP-104IAR group than in the oral gavage group. This underscores the targeted and precise delivery capabilities of the DiffuSphere™ technology.
DiffuSphere™ in the Joint
DiffuSphere™ is the technology behind Eupraxia's EP-104IAR for treating OA. In Eupraxia's Phase 2b clinical study, EP-104IAR was well tolerated and showed significantly durable efficacy over placebo. The trial results were recently published in The Lancet, reinforcing the preclinical work previously published in Cartilage. The Phase 2b data showed that EP-104IAR effectively controlled patients' pain for up to 22 weeks (as measured by OARSI Strict Responders) and was well-tolerated. This includes no disruption to blood glucose metabolism (a key factor for diabetics, who comprise almost
DiffuSphere™ in Other Applications
Eupraxia has successfully applied DiffuSphere™ across multiple anatomic locations and drug classes. In preclinical studies, DiffuSphere™ has demonstrated its precise, steady, and tunable delivery traits in intraarticular, intraesophageal, intravitreal, epidural, peritoneal, and subcutaneous applications. Additionally, Eupraxia has demonstrated DiffuSphere's™ capability with local anesthetics such as ropivacaine and various anti-infective agents.
The new data in EOE patients further supports DiffuSphere's™ ability to deliver drugs with local precision: stable drug delivery without peaks and troughs, and a customizable duration to fit the clinical indication. This reinforces Eupraxia's confidence in the platform's broad potential.
About Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE) and the RESOLVE Trial
EoE is an inflammatory-mediated disease in which white blood cells migrate into and become trapped in the esophagus, creating pain and difficulty with swallowing food. According to market research from Clearview Healthcare Partners, EoE affects more than 450,000 people in
RESOLVE is a Phase 1b/2a, multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of EP-104GI in adults with histologically confirmed, active EoE. EP-104GI is administered as a single dose via four to 20 injections into the esophageal wall. Dose escalations increase the dose per site and/or number of sites. Participants in the first through the fourth cohorts will be assessed for up to 24 weeks, and cohorts five and above will be assessed for up to 52 weeks.
About Osteoarthritis (OA)
Eupraxia's OA product candidate, EP-104IAR, is designed to meet the significant unmet medical need and market demand for long-lasting disease relief in multiple indications, benefitting from highly localized and longer delivery of corticosteroids. The lead indication is for pain relief in knee OA. The
With EP-104IAR, Eupraxia hopes to change the way knee OA pain is treated. The Company believes current therapies are challenged by poor safety, inadequate efficacy and/or limited duration of activity. Corticosteroids are one of only two drug classes strongly recommended by the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation for treating knee OA pain. Currently approved corticosteroids are very effective at reducing pain for a short duration late in the disease but can expose the body to unwanted local and systemic side effects.
EP-104IAR is designed to prolong the duration of pain relief with fewer adverse events. It encapsulates a highly potent corticosteroid (fluticasone propionate) within a microns-thin polymer membrane, part of Eupraxia's patented technology platform.
Injected into the knee, EP-104IAR is designed to diffuse the corticosteroid slowly into the knee joint providing local therapeutic concentrations for up to six months. This has the potential dual advantage of providing longer duration of pain relief with fewer systemic adverse events. A robust safety and tolerability profile would also benefit the estimated
About Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Eupraxia is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing locally delivered, extended-release products that have the potential to address therapeutic areas with high unmet medical need. DiffuSphere™, a proprietary, polymer-based micro-sphere technology, is designed to facilitate targeted drug delivery of both existing and novel drugs. The technology is designed to support extended duration of effect and delivery of drugs in a hyper-localized fashion, targeting only the tissues that physicians are wanting to treat. We believe the potential for fewer adverse events may be achieved through the precision targeting and the stable and flat delivery of the active ingredient when using the DiffuSphere™ technology, versus the peaks and troughs seen with more traditional drug delivery methods. The precision of Eupraxia's DiffuSphere™ technology platform has the potential to augment and transform existing FDA-approved drugs to improve their safety, tolerability, efficacy and duration of effect. The potential uses in therapeutic areas may go beyond pain and inflammatory gastrointestinal disease, where Eupraxia currently is developing advanced treatments, to also be applicable in oncology, infectious disease and other critical disease areas.
Eupraxia's EP-104GI is currently in a Phase 1b/2a trial, the RESOLVE trial, for the treatment of EoE. EP-104GI is administered as an injection into the esophageal wall, providing local delivery of drug. This is a unique treatment approach for EoE. Eupraxia also recently completed a Phase 2b clinical trial (SPRINGBOARD) of EP-104IAR for the treatment of pain due to knee osteoarthritis. The trial met its primary endpoint and three of the four secondary endpoints. In addition, Eupraxia is developing a pipeline of later and earlier-stage long-acting formulations. Potential pipeline indications include candidates for other inflammatory joint indications and oncology, each designed to improve on the activity and tolerability of currently approved drugs. For further details about Eupraxia, please visit the Company's website at: www.eupraxiapharma.com.
Notice Regarding Forward-looking Statements and Information
This news release includes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "aims", "suggests", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes", "potential" or variations (including negative and grammatical variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the Company's product candidates, including their expected benefits to patients with respect to safety, tolerability, efficacy and duration; additional clinical data from the RESOLVE trial of EP-104GI in EoE, including the Company's intention to periodically disclose such data and timing thereof; the Company's expectations regarding dose-escalating cohorts; the results gathered from studies and trials of Eupraxia's product candidates; the potential for the Company's technology to impact the drug delivery process; potential market opportunity for the Company's products; and potential pipeline indications. Such statements and information are based on the current expectations of Eupraxia's management, and are based on assumptions, including but not limited to: future research and development plans for the Company proceeding substantially as currently envisioned; industry growth trends, including with respect to projected and actual industry sales; the Company's ability to obtain positive results from the Company's research and development activities, including clinical trials; and the Company's ability to protect patents and proprietary rights. Although Eupraxia's management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements and information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this news release may not occur by certain dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Eupraxia, including, but not limited to: risks and uncertainties related to the Company's limited operating history; the Company's novel technology with uncertain market acceptance; if the Company breaches any of the agreements under which it licenses rights to its product candidates or technology from third parties, the Company could lose license rights that are important to its business; the Company's current license agreement may not provide an adequate remedy for its breach by the licensor; the Company's technology may not be successful for its intended use; the Company's future technology will require regulatory approval, which is costly and the Company may not be able to obtain it; the Company may fail to obtain regulatory approvals or only obtain approvals for limited uses or indications; the Company's clinical trials may fail to demonstrate adequately the safety and efficacy of its product candidates at any stage of clinical development; the Company may be required to suspend or discontinue clinical trials due to side effects or other safety risks; the Company completely relies on third parties to provide supplies and inputs required for its products and services; the Company relies on external contract research organizations to provide clinical and non-clinical research services; the Company may not be able to successfully execute its business strategy; the Company will require additional financing, which may not be available; any therapeutics the Company develops will be subject to extensive, lengthy and uncertain regulatory requirements, which could adversely affect the Company's ability to obtain regulatory approval in a timely manner, or at all; the impact of health pandemics or epidemics on the Company's operations; the Company's restatement of its consolidated financial statements, which may lead to additional risks and uncertainties, including loss of investor confidence and negative impacts on the Company's common share price; and other risks and uncertainties described in more detail in Eupraxia's public filings on SEDAR+ (sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (sec.gov). Although Eupraxia has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forward-looking statement or information can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements and information speak only as of the date on which they are made and Eupraxia undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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FAQ
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