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- Biopharma company Dimerix (DXB) has dosed the final patient of its clinical trial for treating Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) with DMX-200
- FSGS is a rare condition caused by scarring in the kidney which can cause kidney damage and failure
- Dimerix’s DMX-200 drug is being tested in patients already taking irbesartan, which is a drug approved for treating high blood pressure and some kidney conditions
- The primary endpoint for the current phase two trial is to determine the safety of DMX-200
- Dimerix says so far, no adverse effects have been recorded in patients taking the drug
- Shares in Dimerix are trading over six per cent higher today, currently worth 44 cents each
Biopharma company Dimerix (DXB) has dosed the final patient of its clinical study for treating Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) with its DMX-200 drug.
So far, no serious adverse events have been reported from trial patients taking DMX-200, with final results from the study expected by the end of July this year.
This is a good early sign for the trial results, given the primary endpoint for the study is the safety of the drug, as measured by the number of adverse events from DMX-200 compared to patients taking a placebo.
FSGS is a rare disease which attacks the tiny filtering units inside a person’s kidney where blood is cleaned, known as glomeruli. While many conditions and diseases can affect the glomeruli, FSGS refers to scarring in the kidney which can lead to permanent kidney damage and kidney failure in children and adults.
Dimerix’s FSGS study is a randomised, placebo-controlled study designed to test the safety of DMX-200 in patients with FSGS already receiving a steady dose of irbesartan, which is a drug approved for treating high blood pressure and some kidney conditions. Those taking part in Dimerix’s study each received 16 weeks of DMX-200 and then 16 weeks of a placebo, separated by a six-week washout period.
Interestingly, Dimerix said it is continuing to supply DMX-200 to multiple patients who have completed their study through compassionate supply as part of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Special Access Scheme. This suggests even though the trial results are yet to be revealed, patients are still eager to continue taking Dimerx’s treatment.
Further, DMX-200 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and Europe, which make it eligible for tax credits and market exclusivity.
Slowing cash leakage
In its last quarterly report, Dimerix warned shareholders it has just 1.8 quarters of cash left in the bank. At the time, however, the company remained confident that it would have enough money to stay afloat as current studies come to an end.
The company currently has two DMX-200 trials underway: one for FSGS and one for Diabetic Kidney Disease. The last patient for the Diabetic Kidney Disease trial is expected to be dosed in July 2020.
In April, Dimerix said its future cash flows would be lower as long as its trials came to an end in mid-2020. Thus, with everything tracking along as expected, the company’s cash position is less concerning than it was two months ago.
Investors seem pleased with today’s update, with Dimerix shares trading 6.10 per cent higher in mid-morning trade, currently worth 44 cents each.
