Argenta Discovery Announces the Initiation of a Phase 1 Clinical Trial with ADC4022 – A Potential New Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Severe Asthma.

Argenta Discovery Ltd, the respiratory drug discovery and development company announces that it has initiated its first clinical trial with ADC4022, an investigational medicine for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and severe asthma.

The Phase 1 study is scheduled to enrol 36 healthy volunteers with ADC4022 dosed by inhalation. The study is designed to assess the tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple doses of ADC4022 when given alone and when co-administered with marketed inhaled corticosteroid preparations.

Pre-clinical studies undertaken by Argenta have indicated that ADC4022 and inhaled corticosteroids have little effect on lung inflammation when given separately, but are synergistic when given together. The aim of the clinical programme with ADC4022 is to assess whether the activity of inhaled corticosteroids in COPD, which are relatively ineffective when given alone, can be enhanced by the addition of ADC4022 and bring a meaningful improvement in the treatment of this condition.

Commenting on the clinical study, Dr Christopher Moyses, Argenta Discovery’s Chief Medical Officer said, “There is significant medical need for improvement in the treatment of COPD and in particular for medicines that address the underlying pulmonary inflammation, something that current therapies fail to control effectively. Inhaled ADC4022 co-administered with inhaled corticosteroids represents a new approach to therapy both in this important disease and in severe asthma. We are pleased to have commenced this initial study which will provide data on the inhaled dosing of ADC4022 for up to 5 days and form a stepping stone to its future investigation in patients.”

Dr Christopher Ashton, Argenta Discovery’s CEO commented, "The transition of the first of Argenta’s internal respiratory programmes from pre-clinical research into the clinic marks a milestone in the evolution of the company – we look forward to successfully completing this Phase 1 study and our goal is to commence a pilot Phase 2 efficacy study in patients with COPD next year."