Novel HCMV compound of AiCuris in phase IIb trial with bone marrow transplant recipients
AiCuris announced that its novel HCMV inhibitor AIC246 is now being tested in a phase IIb trial with bone marrow transplant recipients. First patients have already been included into the trial. AIC246 is under development for the treatment of HCMV (humane cytomegalovirus) infections in transplant recipients and other immune compromised individuals.
In a first phase II trial in kidney transplant recipients, who developed HCMV viraemia post transplantation, the compound had demonstrated efficacy and good tolerability. “This positive results shall be supported further by our present trial aimed at inhibiting HCMV reactivation in bone marrow transplant patients”, said Prof Helga Rübsamen-Schaeff, CEO of AiCuris. Another aim of the trial is to determine the right dose for the following phase III studies.
„Based on the existing data we expect that AIC246 has the potential to significantly improve the prophylaxis and treatment strategies of HCMV infections in immune compromised patients”, said Dr. Holger Zimmermann, CSO of AiCuris. Apart from the good tolerability demonstrated in the first phase II trial, the compound had shown efficacy in the treatment of one patient who developed viraemia due to multi-resistant (Ganciclovir, Foscarnet and Cidofovir) HCMV. Dr. Holger Zimmermann: “The medical need for new and well-tolerated therapeutic options against HCMV is still high – especially for immune compromised individuals and for newborn children.”
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