Vectura to present positive data for VR942 asthma treatment

FTSE 250 inhaler maker Vectura was due to present positive outcomes of its Phase I clinical study on the VR942 inhaled asthma treatment at the American Thoracic Society’s annual conference later on Monday.

This follows the group's announcement in June last year that the study met its primary objective of evaluating the safety and tolerability of once-daily VR942 single or repeat doses, administered as a dry powder via inhalation, in healthy volunteers and mild asthmatics respectively.

The study found that VR942 was well tolerated by healthy volunteers and mild asthmatics with no difference in safety profile compared to placebo. In addition, there were no reports of clinically significant immunogenicity after single and repeat dosing in healthy volunteers and asthmatics respectively.

Based on this data, Vectura and its partner UCB are finalising preparation for a Phase II clinical study which is expected to begin in the second half of the year.

Chief executive officer James Ward-Lilley said: "The successful completion of this Phase I clinical study illustrates the potential of VR942 as an attractive, novel and differentiated future treatment alternative to parenterally administered monoclonal antibodies that are currently indicated for the treatment of severe asthma.

“In addition, the successful development of our large molecule formulation and device technology provides an exciting and potentially highly valuable platform for the development of additional biological candidates in the future."