Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Presents New Data for CAT-5571 as a Novel Potential Oral Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis at the 40th European Cystic Fibrosis Society Conference
-- CAT-5571 Restores Autophagy, a Host Defense Mechanism, Which Is Known to be Impaired in Cystic Fibrosis --
-- Data Demonstrate Improved Intracellular Clearance of Bacteria of Importance in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis --
Patients with CF suffer from persistent lung infections with opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cenocepacia causing chronic infections that are difficult to eradicate from lung tissue. Approximately 50% of CF patients are known to suffer from chronic infection of P. aeruginosa. B. cenocepacia is often resistant to all available antibiotics and can be fatal for CF patients. These intracellular pathogens are typically restricted via autophagy in people not affected by CF. CAT-5571 activates autophagy, a host defense mechanism, and the data presented demonstrate that CAT-5571 improves bacterial clearance of the chronic intracellular pathogens P. aeruginosa and B. cenocepacia.
“We are excited about the potential of CAT-5571 to address impaired
autophagy, a host defense mechanism, in CF patients, strengthening their
ability to clear persistent serious lung infections. These data
demonstrating CAT-5571’s ability to significantly reduce the
intracellular bacterial load of P. aeruginosa and B.
cenocepacia suggest that CAT-5571 could play an important role in
improving clinical outcomes in combination with current CF therapies,”
said
The data presented demonstrate that CAT-5571 activates autophagy, a host defense mechanism, in a cystic fibrosis animal model. In cftr F508del/F508del mice, treatment with CAT-5571 restored the depressed autophagy markers Beclin-1 and LC3B, which are critical components of the host defense system. The data presented also demonstrate an impact on the intracellular clearance of two different types of bacteria. In vitro studies using normal or homozygous F508del human bronchial epithelial cells infected with P. aeruginosa showed that CAT-5571 treatment caused a significant reduction in the intracellular bacterial load. Similarly, in macrophages isolated from cftr F508del/F508del mice, in vitro treatment with CAT-5571 reduced the intracellular bacterial load of B. cenocepacia.
CAT-5571 is a novel molecule comprising cysteamine covalently conjugated to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that was engineered using the Company’s SMART linker drug discovery platform to enhance the intracellular activity of the bioactive components. CAT-5571 allows sustained intracellular delivery of the two bioactive components leading to activation of autophagy through two different pathways. Autophagy is a process that maintains cellular homeostasis and host defense mechanisms, and is known to be impaired in CF. We have found that the level of autophagy activation achieved with CAT-5571 cannot be replicated by administering the bioactive components either individually or in combination, even at much higher concentrations. Catabasis is conducting IND-enabling activities for CAT-5571 and expects to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial in 2018.
About CAT-5571
Catabasis is developing CAT-5571 as a
potential oral treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF) with potential effects
on both the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)
and on the clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CAT-5571 is a
small molecule that activates autophagy, a process that maintains
cellular homeostasis and host defense mechanisms, and is known to be
impaired in CF. Catabasis has shown in preclinical studies that
CAT-5571, in combination with lumacaftor/ivacaftor, enhances
cell-surface trafficking and function of CFTR with the F508del mutation.
Catabasis has also shown that CAT-5571 enhances the clearance of P.
aeruginosa infection in preclinical models of CF.
About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare,
chronic, genetic, life-shortening disease that affects over 70,000
patients worldwide, predominantly in the Caucasian population. In CF, a
malfunctioning cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
(CFTR) ion channel impairs chloride secretion, with deleterious effects
on multiple organs, and particularly devastating effects on pulmonary,
intestinal and pancreatic function. Patients affected with CF are also
predisposed to respiratory failure caused by persistent lung infections
that are difficult to treat with standard antibiotics. Advancements in
research and treatments have extended the life expectancy for those
living with CF, however there is currently no cure.
About Catabasis
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Source:
Investor and Media Contact
Catabasis
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Andrea Matthews, 617-349-1971
amatthews@catabasis.com