According to a story from PR Newswire, the biopharmaceutical company Respivant Sciences has recently announced that it has dosed the first patient in its phase 2b clinical trial. This trial is testing the company’s investigational drug candidate RVT-1601 as a treatment for persistent cough associated with the rare lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Respivant is committed to the development of new treatments for respiratory diseases.
About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a deadly, chronic, progressive lung disease which is characterized by lung tissue scarring, leading to a decline in lung function over time. The cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is unknown. With that being said, there are a few risk factors that have been identified, such as smoking cigarettes, exposure to various dusts (metal, wood, stone, and coal dust), occupations related to farming, family history, and potentially certain viral infections. Symptoms include shortness of breath, a dry cough, a distinctive crackling sound detected with a stethoscope, oxygen deficiency in the blood, and clubbed digits. There are few treatment options that can have a significant impact on the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Treatment may include certain medications, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and lung transplant. Early intervention can make a major difference in outcomes; five year survival rate is between 20 and 40 percent. To learn more about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, click here.
About RVT-1601 and Persistent Cough in IPF
RVT-1601 is an inhaled mast cell stabilizer which is delivered to the lungs directly with the use of an electronic nebulizer. The therapy is designed to treat the persistent, dry cough that frequently appears in patients that are affected by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The drug may also have some potential to impact the underlying mechanism of the disease. The majority of patients are considerably affected by a persistent cough which can be extremely debilitating and also lead to other problems such as mental health problems and overall quality of life decline.
In the phase 2a trial, RVT-1601 showed good tolerability and also displayed the capability to reduce the frequency of coughs. The 2b portion of the trial will help determine the optimal dose for patients that will participate in the phase 3 clinical trial and will also evaluate whether the treatment has the potential to slow the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
