Liminal BioSciences Announces First Subject Dosed in Phase 1 Multiple Ascending Dose Clinical Trial of Fezagepras

Rhea-AI Summary

Liminal BioSciences (Nasdaq: LMNL) has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for fezagepras, an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic small molecule. The trial involves healthy volunteers and aims to evaluate multiple ascending doses over 14 days, focusing on safety and pharmacokinetics. This study will help determine the optimal dosing regimen for future Phase 2 trials targeting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Fezagepras has received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA and EMA, with a global Phase 2b trial expected to start in H2-2021.

Positive

• Initiation of Phase 1 trial for fezagepras indicating progress in clinical development.
• Fezagepras received Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA and EMA for IPF treatment.

Negative

• None.

LAVAL, QC, and CAMBRIDGE, England, Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Liminal BioSciences Inc. (Nasdaq: LMNL) ("Liminal BioSciences" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the first subject has been dosed in the Company's fezagepras Phase 1 multiple ascending dose clinical trial in healthy volunteers.

The new clinical trial is designed to look at more frequent daily dosing (twice and three times daily) of fezagepras up to 2,400mg for a total of 14 days. The clinical trial is a standard placebo-controlled Phase 1 ascending dose design in healthy volunteers. The clinical trial endpoints will include safety, pharmacokinetics, and exploratory biomarkers related to the mechanism of action of fezagepras. The data from this clinical trial will be used to guide selection of the appropriate dose and dosing frequency of fezagepras for anticipated future clinical trials.

"We are conducting this clinical trial with fezagepras to help define the optimal dosing regimen that we expect to take forward into phase 2 clinical development in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)", said Bruce Pritchard, Chief Executive Officer of Liminal BioSciences. 

About Fezagepras

Fezagepras is an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic small molecule designed to modulate the activity of multiple receptors, including FFAR1 (GPR40) and PPAR alpha. Both FFAR1 and PPAR alpha have been shown to have an impact on metabolic control and to play a role in the pathogenesis of diseases including NAFLD and NASH. Further, third-party data suggests that FFAR1 plays a role in glucose control, while PPAR alpha appears to modulate lipids. Given their long association with the control of metabolic disease and the association between metabolic and fibrotic processes, the PPAR agonist class has a strong development rationale in fibrotic disease. 

About Liminal BioSciences Inc.

Liminal BioSciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel treatments for patients suffering from diseases of high unmet medical need, primarily related to fibrosis, including respiratory, liver and kidney diseases. Liminal BioSciences has a deep understanding of certain biological targets and pathways that have been implicated in the fibrotic process, including fatty acid receptors such as FFAR1, G-protein-coupled receptor 84 (GPR84), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Our lead small molecule product candidate, fezagepras (PBI-4050), has entered a Phase 1 clinical trial in Q4-2020 in the UK to evaluate multiple ascending doses in normal healthy volunteers, at daily dose exposures higher than those evaluated in our previously completed Phase 2 clinical trials. Fezagepras is expected to be further evaluated in a global Phase 2b clinical trial in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) anticipated to be initiated in H2-2021. In addition, we expect to initiate a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of fezagepras, for patients with high triglyceride levels (hypertriglyceridemia) in H2-2021.

Fezagepras has previously been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA and the European Medical Agency (EMA) for the treatment of IPF. The treatment has also received a Promising Innovative Medicines (PIM) designation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for IPF and Alström syndrome.

Liminal BioSciences has also leveraged its experience in bioseparation technologies through its subsidiary Prometic Bioproduction Inc. to isolate and purify biopharmaceuticals from human plasma. Liminal BioSciences' lead plasma-derived product candidate is Ryplazim^®(plasminogen) ("Ryplazim^®"), for which the Company, through its US subsidiary, Prometic Biotherapeutics Inc., resubmitted a BLA in September 2020 with the FDA seeking approval to treat patients with congenital plasminogen deficiency. The PDUFA target action date for this BLA filing is June 5, 2021. Ryplazim^® has previously been granted Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease Designations by the FDA for the treatment of congenital plasminogen deficiency.

Prometic Plasma Resources, a subsidiary of Liminal BioSciences, has joined the CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance to contribute to the acceleration of the development of a potential new therapy for COVID-19. Liminal BioSciences' Canadian plasma collection center located in Winnipeg, Manitoba is licensed by the FDA and Health Canada, and is certified by the European Union and the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association. Liminal BioSciences' American plasma collection center located in Amherst, New York is licensed by the State of New York and its BLA submission is currently under review by the FDA.

Liminal BioSciences has active business operations in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Liminal BioSciences' objectives, strategies and businesses that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward–looking information includes statements concerning, among other things, statements with respect to the timing for FDA review of the BLA for Ryplazim®, the potential of our product candidates and development of R&D programs, and the nature, design and timing of initiation of clinical trials.

These statements are "forward-looking" because they are based on our current expectations about the markets we operate in and on various estimates and assumptions. Actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements if known or unknown risks affect our business, or if our estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include, but are not limited to, risks associated with FDA review, our ability to effectively establish a commercial organization, Liminal BioSciences' ability to develop, manufacture, and successfully commercialize product candidates, if ever, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business operations, clinical development, regulatory activities and financial and other corporate impacts, the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical trials, the ability of Liminal BioSciences to take advantage of business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties associated generally with research and development, clinical trials and related regulatory reviews and approvals and general changes in economic conditions. You will find a more detailed assessment of these risks, uncertainties and other risks that could cause actual events or results to materially differ from our current expectations in the filings the Company makes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian Securities Commissions filings and reports filings and reports, including in the Annual Report on Form 20-F, as amended,  for the year ended December 31, 2019 and future filings and reports by the Company, from time to time. Such risks may be amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact on Liminal BioSciences' business and the global economy. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and estimates, which speak only as of the date hereof.  We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this Press Release even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason, unless required by applicable securities laws and regulations.

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SOURCE Liminal BioSciences Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the fezagepras Phase 1 clinical trial for LMNL?

The trial aims to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and dosing regimen of fezagepras in healthy volunteers to support future trials in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

When was the first subject dosed in the fezagepras clinical trial?

The first subject was dosed on December 15, 2020.

What are the expected next steps for LMNL after the Phase 1 trial?

Following the Phase 1 trial, a global Phase 2b clinical trial for fezagepras in IPF patients is anticipated to begin in H2-2021.

What is fezagepras and its significance for LMNL?

Fezagepras is a small molecule designed to target anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic pathways, with the potential to address high unmet medical needs in diseases like IPF.

What designations has fezagepras received?

Fezagepras has been granted Orphan Drug Designation from both the FDA and EMA for its treatment of IPF.