KPI Therapeutics Announces Expanded Drug Programs in Eye and Skin Diseases
February 08 2016 - 5:00AM
Business Wire
KPI also targets lupus, chronic pain
KPI Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, today
announced it initiated two new research programs to treat such
diseases as Atopic Dermatitis, Dry Eye Syndrome, and Uveitis at the
BIO CEO & Investment Conference in New York. Using novel
peptides from the same family as its lead autoimmune drug
dalazatide, KPI will develop topical biologic Kv1.3 inhibitors that
target the immune cells which cause these autoimmune diseases. KPI
is also currently conducting research in lupus and chronic pain.
Dalazatide, another peptide from the ShK platform, is being
developed for lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease
which results in itching, scratching, redness, scaling, insomnia
and loss of skin surface. Current cases worldwide reach over 66
million. Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is a chronic lifelong condition. It
is caused mainly by autoimmune disease, viral infection, and aging.
Nearly 414 million people are affected worldwide.
Both of these research programs, KPI-150 and KPI-190, are
already underway. Earlier research within this ShK platform has
shown encouraging pre-clinical results as a topical therapy.
Administration of the drug to the surface of the eye was well
tolerated and resulted in significant penetration into the anterior
chamber of the eye.
“The prior clinical success of dalazatide in plaque psoriasis as
well as positive data in a variety of autoimmune diseases shows
that dalazatide is in fact a rich platform to develop therapies for
multiple autoimmune disease targets like lupus and new disease
targets like Atopic Dermatitis and Dry Eye Syndrome,” said Chuck
Magness, President and CEO of KPI Therapeutics.
About KPI Therapeutics
KPI Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company which
develops first-in-class therapies for unmet medical needs in
autoimmunity and chronic pain. KPI leads an alliance of development
partners under a common purpose to drive focused and efficient drug
development. KPI partners include Kineta, Inc., Chimera Biotec,
Life Chemicals, MPI Research, Medical Marketing Economics,
CoMotion, the University of Washington School of Medicine and the
Alliance for Children’s Therapeutics, which includes Seattle
Children’s Research Institute. Through its collaborative agreement
with Kineta, Inc., KPI is also overseeing portions of the
development of dalazatide (systemic autoimmune diseases including
lupus) and CSP conopeptides (chronic pain). For more information
about KPI, please visit our website: kpitherapeutics.com.
About Dalazatide
Dalazatide (ShK-186) recently completed a Phase 1b clinical
trial in plaque psoriasis. It has a novel mechanism of action
(MOA). Preclinical and clinical data have shown that dalazatide is
a selective and potent blocker of the voltage-gated Kv1.3 potassium
channel - a key channel in the activation of effector memory T
cells. Effector memory T cells are implicated in the pathology of
many autoimmune diseases. Dalazatide was the first specific Kv1.3
inhibitor advanced into human clinical trials. Dalazatide is being
studied as a potential therapy for autoimmune diseases including
lupus, ANCA Vasculitis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, psoriatic
arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory
bowel diseases, and asthma. Dalazatide is being developed jointly
with Kineta Inc.
About KPI-150
KPI-150 is an analog of dalazatide that also blocks the Kv1.3
channel. KPI is developing this agent as a topical cream for Atopic
Dermatitis, psoriasis, and other dermatological complications
associated with inflammatory diseases. Chronically activated TEM
cells in Atopic Dermatitis are the target of KPI-150. A robust
safety database already exists for the KPI compounds.
About KPI-190
KPI-190 is derived from the ShK platform and is being developed
as an eye drop for use in several eye diseases including Uveitis
and Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). KPI’s drug candidate has demonstrated
proof of concept efficacy in models of anterior Uveitis and has
good penetration into the anterior chamber when administered
topically.
About CSP
KPI’s CSP conopeptide for pain is a novel derivative of a
cone snail protein. This is a first-in-class agent with a novel
mechanism of action that targets the α9/α10 nicotinic acetylcholine
receptor. It is non-opioid and anticipated to be a safer,
non-addictive form of pain relief with far fewer side effects.
Potential medical applications include chemo-induced breakthrough
pain, orthopedic pain and post-surgical pain.
NOTICE: This document contains certain forward-looking
statements, including without limitation statements regarding KPI’s
plans for future research and development activities. You are
cautioned that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees
of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties inherent
to KPI’s business which could significantly affect expected
results, including without limitation progress of drug development,
ability to raise capital to fund drug development, clinical testing
and regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel
costs, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. All
forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement, and KPI undertakes no obligation to revise or
update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or
circumstances after the issuance of this press release.
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KPI Therapeutics, Inc.Dan Eramian,
206-518-5566deramian@kpitherapeutics.comSenior Vice President
Communications and Investor Relations