BEDMINSTER, NJ, USA I October 14, 2019 I Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE AMER: MTNB), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has initiated its Phase 2 EnACT clinical study, which will explore the use of MAT2203 for both induction and maintenance therapy in HIV-patients with cryptococcal meningitis, a life-threatening fungal infection most commonly observed in immunocompromised individuals.
“We are extremely pleased to advance clinical development of MAT2203 for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis,” commented Theresa Matkovits, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer of Matinas. “Antifungal resistance poses a major threat to the lives of vulnerable immunocompromised patients, and MAT2203 could provide an invaluable oral and safe treatment for severe fungal infections in these patients. EnACT is an important study to highlight the benefits provided by our lipid nano-crystal (LNC) drug delivery technology and is a key part of our strategy to ultimately position MAT2203 as a potential first-line therapy for the treatment of a variety of invasive fungal infections, including cryptococcal meningitis. We plan to provide updates on EnACT later in 2019 and over the course of 2020, as we advance past the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) portion of this study and advance from cohort-to-cohort during the efficacy stages.”
EnACT (Encochleated Oral Amphotericin for Cryptococcal Meningitis Trial) is an open-label, sequential cohort study, financially sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with David Boulware, M.D., M.P.H, Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota acting as principal investigator for the study in collaboration with Dr. David Meya, Ph.D. of Makerere University. This trial utilizes MAT2203, which applies the Company’s LNC drug delivery technology to orally deliver amphotericin B, an otherwise IV-only, highly toxic, fungicidal drug for the treatment of HIV-patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Oral MAT2203 is designed to target delivery directly to infected tissues, protecting the body from unnecessary exposure to amphotericin B, and is expected to be a safer alternative to the traditional IV-forms of this highly potent drug with a lower propensity for renal toxicity. The study consists of two distinct parts; Part 1 is designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose among people living with HIV but who do not have a fungal infection. Part 2 is a prospective randomized trial evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of MAT2203 in HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis, compared to treatment with standard IV-administered amphotericin B as induction therapy.
As previously reported, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated MAT2203 as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) with Fast Track status for four indications, specifically, the prevention of invasive fungal infections due to immunosuppressive therapy, and the treatment of invasive candidiasis, invasive aspergillus and cryptococcal meningitis. In addition, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to MAT2203 for the treatment of cryptococossis. Adding orphan drug designation to the QIDP for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis, which is within the scope of this FDA-granted orphan drug designation, potentially positions MAT2203 for up to 12 years of marketing exclusivity, if approved.
About MAT2203
MAT2203 is an orally-administered formulation of amphotericin B (a broad spectrum fungicidal agent) applying Matinas’ proprietary lipid nano-crystal (LNC) delivery technology platform to create a potentially better tolerated and more conveniently administered version of this potent drug. Currently, IV-only administered amphotericin B has shown little to no clinical resistance and is a major broad-spectrum fungicidal product. However, IV amphotericin has significant treatment-limiting side effects, most notably kidney toxicity.
About Matinas BioPharma
Matinas BioPharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on development of its lead product candidate, MAT9001, for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions. MAT9001 is a prescription-only omega-3 fatty acid-based composition, comprised primarily of EPA and DPA, under development for hypertriglyceridemia, that was specifically designed to overcome the shortcomings seen from other agents in the omega-3 class. Company leadership has a deep history and knowledge of cardiovascular drug development and is supported by a world-class team of scientific advisors.
In addition, the Company is developing MAT2203, an oral, encochleated formulation of amphotericin B, to treat serious invasive fungal infections. The drug is based on Matinas’ proprietary lipid nano-crystal (LNC) platform technology which can help solve complex challenges relating to the safe and effective delivery of potent medicines, potentially making them more targeted, less toxic and orally bioavailable.
SOURCE: Matinas BioPharma
Post Views: 169
BEDMINSTER, NJ, USA I October 14, 2019 I Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE AMER: MTNB), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has initiated its Phase 2 EnACT clinical study, which will explore the use of MAT2203 for both induction and maintenance therapy in HIV-patients with cryptococcal meningitis, a life-threatening fungal infection most commonly observed in immunocompromised individuals.
“We are extremely pleased to advance clinical development of MAT2203 for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis,” commented Theresa Matkovits, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer of Matinas. “Antifungal resistance poses a major threat to the lives of vulnerable immunocompromised patients, and MAT2203 could provide an invaluable oral and safe treatment for severe fungal infections in these patients. EnACT is an important study to highlight the benefits provided by our lipid nano-crystal (LNC) drug delivery technology and is a key part of our strategy to ultimately position MAT2203 as a potential first-line therapy for the treatment of a variety of invasive fungal infections, including cryptococcal meningitis. We plan to provide updates on EnACT later in 2019 and over the course of 2020, as we advance past the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) portion of this study and advance from cohort-to-cohort during the efficacy stages.”
EnACT (Encochleated Oral Amphotericin for Cryptococcal Meningitis Trial) is an open-label, sequential cohort study, financially sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with David Boulware, M.D., M.P.H, Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota acting as principal investigator for the study in collaboration with Dr. David Meya, Ph.D. of Makerere University. This trial utilizes MAT2203, which applies the Company’s LNC drug delivery technology to orally deliver amphotericin B, an otherwise IV-only, highly toxic, fungicidal drug for the treatment of HIV-patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Oral MAT2203 is designed to target delivery directly to infected tissues, protecting the body from unnecessary exposure to amphotericin B, and is expected to be a safer alternative to the traditional IV-forms of this highly potent drug with a lower propensity for renal toxicity. The study consists of two distinct parts; Part 1 is designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose among people living with HIV but who do not have a fungal infection. Part 2 is a prospective randomized trial evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of MAT2203 in HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis, compared to treatment with standard IV-administered amphotericin B as induction therapy.
As previously reported, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated MAT2203 as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) with Fast Track status for four indications, specifically, the prevention of invasive fungal infections due to immunosuppressive therapy, and the treatment of invasive candidiasis, invasive aspergillus and cryptococcal meningitis. In addition, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to MAT2203 for the treatment of cryptococossis. Adding orphan drug designation to the QIDP for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis, which is within the scope of this FDA-granted orphan drug designation, potentially positions MAT2203 for up to 12 years of marketing exclusivity, if approved.
About MAT2203
MAT2203 is an orally-administered formulation of amphotericin B (a broad spectrum fungicidal agent) applying Matinas’ proprietary lipid nano-crystal (LNC) delivery technology platform to create a potentially better tolerated and more conveniently administered version of this potent drug. Currently, IV-only administered amphotericin B has shown little to no clinical resistance and is a major broad-spectrum fungicidal product. However, IV amphotericin has significant treatment-limiting side effects, most notably kidney toxicity.
About Matinas BioPharma
Matinas BioPharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on development of its lead product candidate, MAT9001, for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions. MAT9001 is a prescription-only omega-3 fatty acid-based composition, comprised primarily of EPA and DPA, under development for hypertriglyceridemia, that was specifically designed to overcome the shortcomings seen from other agents in the omega-3 class. Company leadership has a deep history and knowledge of cardiovascular drug development and is supported by a world-class team of scientific advisors.
In addition, the Company is developing MAT2203, an oral, encochleated formulation of amphotericin B, to treat serious invasive fungal infections. The drug is based on Matinas’ proprietary lipid nano-crystal (LNC) platform technology which can help solve complex challenges relating to the safe and effective delivery of potent medicines, potentially making them more targeted, less toxic and orally bioavailable.
SOURCE: Matinas BioPharma
Post Views: 169
