Jan-Anders Karlsson discusses Verona Pharma’s lead candidate, RPL554, as a potential therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and his company’s work with theCystic Fibrosis Trust. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to fighting for a life unlimited by cystic fibrosis (CF) for everyone affected by the condition.
CF Trust was started in 1964 and promote excellence in research and clinical care, as well as providing practical support and advice to people with CF and their families. Verona Pharma is currently undertaking a comprehensive Phase 2 clinical trial programme for nebulized RPL554 as a maintenance treatment of COPD and as an add-on therapy to bronchodilators and other commonly used therapies for the treatment of hospitalized patients with acute exacerbations of COPD.
Verona is conducting a clinical study to evaluate the potential of RPL554 as a treatment for cystic fibrosis. RPL554 is a first-in-class, inhaled, dual inhibitor of the enzymes phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 (PDE3 and PDE4), that act as both a bronchodilator and an anti-inflammatory agent in a single compound. There is no therapy currently available that acts as both a bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory in a single compound for the treatment of respiratory diseases.