Encouraging Data Indicate Catheter-Based Administration of Vonapanitase Was Generally Well-Tolerated and Technically Feasible

WALTHAM, MA, USA I October 12, 2015 I Proteon Therapeutics Inc. (PRTO), a company developing novel, first-in-class therapeutics to address the medical needs of patients with kidney and vascular diseases, today announced that results from its Phase 1 study of investigational vonapanitase in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) were presented at the 27th Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), the annual scientific symposium of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation. The results were presented by Christopher D. Owens, M.D., Associate Professor of Surgery Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at the University of California San Francisco, who was the principal investigator of the study.

 

This study evaluated the safety and technical feasibility of a single treatment of vonapanitase via a drug-delivery catheter to atherosclerotic human arteries following successful angioplasty. The study met its stated objectives, as data indicated that catheter-based treatment with vonapanitase was generally well-tolerated and technically feasible.

“There is a significant unmet medical need to improve results in patients with symptomatic PAD,” said Dr. Owens. “The safety and technical feasibility results of this Phase 1 study are encouraging, and merit further study of vonapanitase in patients with PAD, to explore whether vonapanitase will demonstrate efficacy in the improvement of PAD.”

The open-label, single center Phase 1 dose escalation study enrolled 14 patients being treated with balloon angioplasty due to symptomatic PAD of the superficial femoral or popliteal artery. Immediately following successful angioplasty, vonapanitase was delivered to the arterial wall using an endovascular micro-infusion catheter.

“This Phase 1 study in patients with symptomatic PAD complements Proteon’s ongoing clinical development in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing surgical creation of an arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis,” said Timothy Noyes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Proteon. “Based on these results, we plan to continue clinical investigation of vonapanitase in PAD in 2016.”

This is the sixth clinical study evaluating vonapanitase. Proteon is currently evaluating vonapanitase in two Phase 3 clinical studies in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing surgical creation of a radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis, and previously completed three clinical studies evaluating vonapanitase in patients with CKD undergoing surgical creation of an AVF or arteriovenous graft (AVG) for hemodialysis.

About Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) of the lower extremity experience stenosis, or blockage, formation in the arteries providing blood to the legs. These patients typically present with exercise-induced leg pain, a condition known as intermittent claudication. Patients with claudication are unable to adequately maintain their activities of daily living because they quickly experience pain that can be resolved only through rest. Severe cases result in critical limb ischemia, or lack of blood flow, and the possibility of gangrene or tissue death and the need for amputation. Current surgical and interventional procedures are often ineffective and lack durability, resulting in ongoing suffering for patients. PAD is a global problem affecting a large number of people throughout the industrialized world. Approximately eight million Americans have some form of PAD.

About Vonapanitase

Vonapanitase (formerly PRT-201) is an investigational drug designed to improve arteriovenous fistula (AVF) patency, the period of time during which an AVF remains open with adequate blood flow to enable hemodialysis. Vonapanitase is applied in a single administration and is currently being studied in two Phase 3 clinical trials in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing surgical creation of a radiocephalic AVF for hemodialysis. Vonapanitase has received fast track and orphan drug designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and orphan medicinal product designation from the European Commission, for hemodialysis vascular access indications. Vonapanitase may have multiple surgical and endovascular applications in which vessel injury leads to blockages in blood vessels and reduced blood flow, and has completed a Phase 1 clinical study in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD).

About Proteon Therapeutics

Proteon Therapeutics is committed to improving the health of patients with kidney and vascular diseases through the development of novel, first-in-class therapeutics. Proteon’s lead product candidate, vonapanitase (formerly PRT-201), is an investigational drug intended to improve arteriovenous fistula (AVF) patency, the period of time during which an AVF remains open with adequate blood flow to enable hemodialysis. Proteon is currently evaluating vonapanitase in two Phase 3 clinical trials in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing surgical creation of a radiocephalic AVF for hemodialysis and has completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). For more information, please visit www.proteontherapeutics.com.

SOURCE: Proteon Therapeutics