Summary
- Drug discovery company developing new therapies, Dimerix, has enrolled multiple patients in REMAP-CAP study in Europe.
- In the ACE2 RAS study domain, subjects will be randomised to receive one RAS blockade strategy or control.
- The Company looks forward to providing an update on the progress and as the milestones are met.
ASX-listed clinical-stage biopharmaceutical player Dimerix Limited (ASX:DXB) updated that the first 24 patients have been recruited into the feasibility/Phase 3 ACE2 renin-angiotensin system (RAS) modulation study domain in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, which incorporates DMX-200. Of those 24 volunteers enrolled, 22 were in the Netherlands, and two were in the UK.
COVID-19 cases worldwide have been increasing, with the number of deaths on the rise for the past five weeks. Despite the launch of vaccines, the objective is to reduce the symptoms triggered by COVID-19 and improve treatments for patients who are hospitalised remains crucial.
Source: Copyright © 2020 Kalkine Media Pty Ltd
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According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), almost 5.2 million new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the last seven days. Out of these, nearly 300,000 cases were reported in one day in India alone. DMX-200 is also being trialled in COVID-19 patients in India.
Other ASX-listed companies that are engaged in developing COVID-19 treatment include MGC Pharmaceutical Limited (ASX:MXC), Noxopharm Limited (ASX:NOX), Starpharma Holdings Limited (ASX:SPL), Mesoblast Limited (ASX:MSB) and Cynata Therapeutics Limited (ASX:CYP).
ACE2 RAS modulation domain design of REMAP-CAP study
The feasibility/Phase 3 study is a multi-centre, randomised, standard of care vs multi-active comparators platform study in COVID-19 patients.
In the REMAP-CAP authorised ACE2 RAS study domain, participants who fulfil the platform entry criteria will be randomised to get one RAS blockade strategy or control-
Source: Dimerix Announcement (23 April 2021)
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DMX-200 is included in the investigator-led feasibility/Phase 3 study in COVID-19 pneumonia patients, driven by global clinicians, experts, and trialists via the study sponsor, REMAP-CAP. The study is endorsed by the WHO and has commenced a master protocol across over 300 clinical trial sites across eight global regions.
Currently, REMAP-CAP investigates more than twenty active treatments for COVID-19, mostly repurposed and novel medicines, including registration purposes. Now, the study has recruited more than 6,000 patients with suspected or proven COVID-19 overall. Furthermore, the study is currently recruiting ~100 patients per week across Europe.
Two Phase 3 clinical trials for COVID-19
DMX-200, the lead drug candidate of Dimerix, is part of two different investigator-led Phase 3 clinical trials in COVID-19 patients with respiratory complications. For one of these studies, Dimerix was awarded AU$1 million from MTPConnect’s Biomedical Translation Bridge (BTB) program provided by the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), with support from UniQuest.
Dimerix supports both the studies driven by the REMAP-CAP and CLARITY 2.0 teams in delivering them information for the regulatory submissions as well as in supplying DMX-200 to the study sites.
Interestingly, if DMX-200 shows benefit in COVID-19 patients, it could also benefit in respiratory complications associated with other infections, like pneumonia and influenza. Consequently, this provides an opportunity that could extend well beyond the COVID-19 impact.
On 23 April 2021, DXB shares last traded at AU$0.250, in line with the previous close.
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