Vectura reports success on first phase VR942 study

Airways-related diseases treatment company Vectura Group announced on Friday that it has successfully completed its Phase I clinical study evaluating its inhaled biologic immunomodulatory product VR942.

The FTSE 250 firm said the study was successfully completed and met its primary objective of evaluating the safety and tolerability of once-daily VR942 single or repeat doses, administered as a dry powder inhalation, in healthy volunteers and mild asthmatics respectively.

In the study, it said VR942 was safe and well-tolerated at pharmacologically active doses.

It also said the investigation did not reveal any immunogenicity concerns and pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated undetectable systemic exposure consistent with the mode of administration.

Vectura said the generated data package supports the continued development of VR942 in severe inflammatory respiratory disease, and the progression of preparations for a Phase II study.

Detailed scientific outcomes would be presented at a future scientific conference, its board confirmed.

“This study and collaboration is further evidence of Vectura's role as a leading inhalation formulation and device partner,” CEO James Ward-Lilley said.

“The collaboration with UCB is the first of its type in respiratory drug development where a large molecule antibody fragment is formulated and delivered as a dry powder for effective inhalation.

“The generation of data indicating a positive impact on biomarkers of inflammation presents an exciting prospect both for this antibody specifically and as a potential platform for other biologic developments in the future,” Ward-Lilley explained.