Redx Pharma jumps as first data shows 'great potential' for fibrosis candidate

The drug discovery and development company said the first batch of data on the candidate showed it was “highly effective” in suppressing the Wnt pathway, which inhibits porcupine proteins that are generally believed to cause the lung scarring that is typical of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

IPF is a severe and life-threatening chronic lung condition with very poor prognosis and limited treatment options.

Jörg Distler, professor of internal medicine at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, said: "Wnt pathway inhibition presents a novel and exciting opportunity to treat fibrotic diseases, I truly support the idea of targeting the porcupine enzyme."

Trials with the drug have successfully suppressed both liver and kidney fibrosis in animal models and led to a reduction in collagen deposition and severity of pulmonary fibrosis in two mouse models.

Richard Armer, chief scientific officer at Redx Pharma, said: "The data suggests that RXC006 has great potential to treat fibrosis in human patients. Redx are progressing RXC006 towards the clinic for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and plan to initiate first in man clinical trials during 2020."

Redx Pharma’s shares were up 10.34% at 8.00p at 1102 GMT.