Bridge Biotherapeutics announced on the 30th that it received a recommendation from the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) to continue the Phase 2 clinical trial of the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treatment candidate 'BBT-877.'
The IDMC is an organization that monitors the expected effects of clinical trials on humans, considering the significant time and cost involved. Based on data collected during the mid-stage of the trial, it recommends whether to continue, stop, or modify the clinical trial design.
The IDMC meeting for the BBT-877 Phase 2 trial was held for the second time since October last year. It was convened as the recruitment of clinical trial participants accelerated. The meeting was arranged to review the safety and efficacy of the drug based on interim clinical data and to discuss whether to continue the trial. At this meeting, data on the effects and safety of BBT-877 administration as of the 20th of last month for 57 patients were discussed.
Based on the data, including the absence of any early termination cases, the IDMC recommended continuing the trial as originally planned. Accordingly, the company plans to accelerate the clinical trial exploring the efficacy and safety of BBT-877, which is being developed as the first-in-class autotaxin inhibitor. Autotaxin is an enzyme that converts lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), a lipid in the human body, into lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA binds to intracellular receptors, inducing angiogenesis, sclerosis, tumor formation, and metastasis. BBT-877 selectively inhibits autotaxin, reducing LPA production to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Lee Jung-kyu, CEO of Bridge Biotherapeutics, said, "The recommendation to continue clinical development through the second IDMC confirms the comprehensive competitiveness of the drug, including its safety. We will do our best to accelerate the development of BBT-877 and swiftly achieve technology transfer results, leveraging the global high interest in the autotaxin mechanism in the pulmonary fibrosis treatment field."
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