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- Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals (PAR) receives top-line results from a preclinical study investigating treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome
- The study saw pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) administered to an influenza model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- Paradigm says the treatment reduced lung inflammation, improved oxygen saturation and reduced weight loss compared to controls at eight days post-infection in a mouse model
- Paradigm says the preclinical data supports the potential to expand the PPS product pipeline, with further data consolidation needed before clinical trials in humans
- Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals is trading 1.07 per cent up at $1.87 per share at 10:45 am AEDT
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals (PAR) has received top-line results from a preclinical study investigating treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome.
The study at the Menzies Institute at Griffith University looked at pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) in an influenza model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), using a mouse model.
ARDS is a life-threatening condition in which fluid collects in the alveoli, or air sacks of the lungs, depriving organs of oxygen. Patients with ARDS have severe shortness of breath and often require ventilation, usually occurring in those who are critically ill.
In order to determine the effects of PPS, three milligrams or six milligrams per kilogram were administered daily to a mouse with the Influenza A virus over eight days. The mice were weighed daily to determine disease progression, and a pulse oximetry was performed on days six and eight post-infection to measure oxygen saturation.
Paradigm says the PPS treatment reduced lung inflammation, improved oxygen saturation and reduced weight loss, compared to controls at eight days post-infection in the mouse model.
Additionally, the treatment demonstrated statistically significant reductions in the levels of a marker of tissue damage in the lung.
“These findings may have potential implications in halting the progression towards chronic lung disease by early intervention with PPS at the onset of acute lung inflammation where there is a significant unmet medical need,” Paradigm’s Chief Science Officer Ravi Krishnan said.
At termination, lung tissue was harvested and sections were stained for haematoxylin and eosin to analyse cellular infiltration. The staining showed a reduction in pulmonary fibrosis compared to the control.
Paradigm said the preclinical data supported the potential to expand the PPS product pipeline to acute and chronic respiratory indications with unmet needs.
“Paradigm’s next steps are to consolidate and further validate these data to assess the preclinical translational relevance of these findings to identify the path to possible clinical trials in humans,” Dr Krishnan said.
Paradigm has now filed a patent for the treatment of ARDS with PPS.
Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals is trading 1.07 per cent up at $1.87 per share at 10:45 am AEDT
