Pulmatrix to focus on COPD and cystic fibrosis clinical programs

US drug developer Pulmatrix say that its clinical development plans will focus on the company’s lead clinical candidate in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF).

The company has initiated two Phase Ib studies with PUR118, a novel inhaled dry powder therapeutic, in patients with COPD which includes people with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Pulmatrix’ plans to advance its clinical development programs coincide with additional support from a $14 million private financing, also announced the same day.

The decision to initiate these Phase Ib studies is based upon successful completion in June, 2011, of the clinical portion of two Phase 1 studies with PUR118 in healthy volunteers. In addition, another clinical trial in asthmatic patients using PUR003, a liquid product candidate with the same active drug as PUR118, successfully completed the clinical phase in May, 2011. The Phase I results to date, including data from studies with PUR118 in healthy volunteers and PUR003 in both healthy volunteers and patients with asthma, all demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability.