subslover
4 days ago
With Fast Track Designation in Hand, a Successful Protocol Discussion with FDA, and CROs in Place, Biodexa is on Track to Initiate its Funded Phase 3 Trial in FAP Next Quarter
CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC. (NASDAQ:BDRX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of innovative products for the treatment of diseases with unmet medical needs, is making progress in readying the launch of a phase 3 trial for eRapa, its proprietary encapsulated form of rapamycin being developed for the treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
https://app.accessnewswire.com/imagelibrary/a997bbb7-d2fd-43cf-b84f-94e84b206bf6/1001827/bdrx-250319-unsplash-doctor.png
In just the last few weeks, Biodexa received Fast Track designation from the FDA, conducted a successful Type C (pre-Phase 3 protocol finalization) meeting with the FDA and appointed a clinical research organization (CRO) to conduct the European component of its registrational Phase 3 trial. A CRO for the U.S. component was appointed earlier.
FAP is an inherited condition that puts people at a much greater risk of developing colon cancer. With FAP, hundreds or thousands of precancerous polyps grow throughout the gastrointestinal tract. There is no approved therapeutic option for treating FAP patients, for whom active surveillance and surgical resection of the colon and/or rectum remain the standard of care. People with FAP, which usually appears in the patient's mid-teens, end up eventually having their entire colon removed. If left untreated there is a high likelihood the person will develop colon or rectum cancer.
Biodexa hopes to help with eRapa, a proprietary oral tablet formulation of rapamycin, also known as sirolimus, which slows down the mTOR (mammalian Target Of Rapamycin) protein.
"Too much mTOR has been linked to cancer and has been shown to be over-expressed in FAP polyps - thereby underscoring the rationale for using an mTOR inhibitor like eRapa to treat FAP", noted Stephen Stamp, Biodexa's CEO and CFO.
Phase 3 Study Commencing Next Quarter
Biodexa, which has already received Fast Track designation by the FDA for the drug, completed a successful Phase 2 trial of eRapa, demonstrating a 17% median decrease in overall polyp burden and an overall non-progression rate of 75%. Biodexa said patients in cohort 2, the dosage regimen that will be used in Phase 3, experienced an 89% non-progression rate and 29% median reduction in polyp burden at 12 months compared with baseline.
The Phase 3 study will be a double-blind placebo-controlled design recruiting approximately 168 high-risk patients diagnosed with germline or phenotypic FAP. It is expected the study will be conducted in about 30 clinical sites across the U.S. and Europe.
That Phase 3 trial is getting closer to a launch following on the heels of what the company says was a successful Type C meeting with the FDA. During the meeting with FDA representatives from both the gastroenterology and oncology divisions, Biodexa and the FDA discussed the company's statistical plan, the safety database and a composite endpoint for the Phase 3 study. As a result of that meeting, Biodexa believes it has a clear path forward for the initiation of the U.S. Phase 3 study next quarter.
"With no approved products for FAP, we were pleased to collaborate with FDA and our U.S. CRO, LumaBridge, to define the regulatory pathway for eRapa in FAP," said Gary Shangold, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Biodexa. "Agreement on the composite endpoint, in particular, clears the path to finalize the protocol, recruit the U.S. sites and begin patient enrollment."
The Phase 3 program is substantially funded by a $17 million grant from the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas, which has been matched 1:2 by Biodexa contributions of $8.5 million for a total funding of $25.5 million.
U.S. and European CROs On Board
Biodexa previously appointed LumaBridge to conduct the study in the U.S. and just tapped Precision for Medicine as the CRO to conduct the European component of the upcoming registrational Phase 3 study of eRapa in FAP.
LumaBridge was founded in 2014 to help advance the development of novel immunotherapies in the fight against cancer. Building on the founders' 3 decades of combined experience in academic and military research, LumaBridge offers full outsourced clinical trial support across the entire timeline of clinical development, including consultation on clinical development strategy, as well as special capabilities in military research. Over the 11 years since its founding, LumaBridge has made a significant impact in the advancement of immuno-oncology therapies, supporting a substantial number of trials and projects for over 30 clients.
Precision for Medicine is focused on rare diseases and has a stated mission to accelerate the pathway for complex drug development. Precision for Medicine has been conducting studies for over twenty years and according to Biodexa is known for its high-caliber, therapeutically specialized staff, experienced scientists and physicians, advanced specialty laboratories and problem-solving capabilities. Precision for Medicine has conducted 333 clinical trials in rare diseases and employs over 700 team members in Europe across 11 locations, Biodexa shared in a press release.
With thousands of new cases of FAP each year, people in Europe and America suffering from this disease need relief. Biodexa is aiming to deliver that, and with its phase 3 study about to get underway, that may happen sooner rather than later.
Featured photo by National Cancer InstituteonUnsplash.
This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice.
Click here for more information on Biodexa Pharmaceuticals.
Contact:
Stephen Stamp, CEO, CFO
ir@biodexapharma.com
Important notice, please read: The information and statistical data contained herein may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the company's intentions, expectations, assumptions, or beliefs concerning future events, including, but not limited to, expectations with respect to FDA and other regulatory bodies approval of new products, technology, and product development milestones, the ability of the company to leverage its product development and negotiate favorable collaborative agreements, the commencement of sales, the size of market opportunities with respect to the company's product candidates and sufficiency of the company's cash flow for future liquidity and capital resource needs and other risks identified in the Risk Factor Section of the company's Annual Report and any subsequent reports filed with the SEC. We do not undertake to advise you as to any change in this information. The forward-looking statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. In addition, significant fluctuations in quarterly results may occur as a result of varying milestone payments and the timing of costs and expenses related to the company's research and development programs. This is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell. Redington, Inc. is paid by Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC to provide investor relations services, and its employees or members of their families may from time to time own an equity interest in companies mentioned herein.
SOURCE: Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
https://app.accessnewswire.com/img.ashx?id=1001827
ยฉ Copyright 2025 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved.
Back to News Headlines
Other Financial Information
Recent News & Disclosure Filings
Recent SEC Filings
Nasdaq
Daily Advancers
OTCQX Best Market Logo
YERBF
+ 56.86 %
OTCQX Best Market Logo
BRZHW
+ 53.60 %
OTCQX Best Market Logo
ALMTF
+ 42.48 %
OTCQX Best Market Logo
SLMWF
+ 20.71 %
OTCQX Best Market Logo
JBSAY
+ 17.98 %
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest company news, industry trends and regulatory changes that affect our markets and learn about members of our community.
subslover
2 weeks ago
Biodexa Announces Successful Outcome of a Type C Meeting with FDA Regarding the Phase 3 Program for eRapa in FAP
March 10, 2025
Biodexa Announces Successful Outcome of a Type C Meeting with FDA Regarding the Phase 3 Program for eRapa in FAP
Clears the way to finalize Phase 3 protocol and recruit sites for U.S.
Phase 3 substantially funded by $17.0 million CPRIT grant and $8.5 million Company match
Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC (โBiodexaโ or the โCompanyโ) (Nasdaq: BDRX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of innovative products for the treatment of diseases with unmet medical needs, today announced the results of its Type C meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (โFDAโ) regarding the protocol for the planned registrational Phase 3 study of eRapa in familial adenomatous polyposis (โFAPโ).
The Type C meeting followed a productive End of Phase 2 meeting with FDA and the publication of Phase 2 data of eRapa in FAP at six months at Digestive Disease Week in May 2024 and 12 months data at InSight, Barcelona in June 2024. The Type C meeting included a discussion of the statistical plan, the safety database and, most importantly, a composite endpoint for the Phase 3 study. FDA representatives from both Gastroenterology and Oncology Divisions provided valuable input into the proposed program and the Company believes there is a clear path forward for initiation of the registrational Phase 3 study in FAP in the U.S. next quarter.
The planned registrational Phase 3 study of eRapa in FAP will be a double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 168 patients, randomized 2:1 drug / placebo. It is expected the study will be conducted in approximately 30 clinical sites across the US and Europe. The US component of the study will be conducted by LumaBridge, based in San Antonio, Texas and the European component will be conducted by Precision for Medicine LLC. The Phase 3 study is supported by a $17.0 million grant from the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (โCPRITโ) and a Company match of $8.5 million which has already been paid, in full, into escrow.
Commenting, Dr Gary Shangold, Chief Medical Officer of Biodexa, said, โWith no approved products for FAP, we were pleased to collaborate with FDA and our US CRO, LumaBridge, to define the regulatory pathway for eRapa in FAP. Agreement on the composite endpoint, in particular, clears the path to finalize the protocol, recruit the U.S. sites and begin patient enrolmentโ
subslover
1 month ago
Biodexa Receives US FDA Fast Track Designation for eRapa in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
February 10, 2025
Biodexa Receives US FDA Fast Track Designation for eRapa in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
Underscores unmet need for a therapeutic alternative with the potential to delay or prevent surgical removal of the colon and/or rectum
Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC (โBiodexaโ or โthe Companyโ), (Nasdaq: BDRX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of innovative products for the treatment of diseases with unmet medical needs, announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (โFDAโ) has granted Fast Track designation for eRapa, a proprietary encapsulated form of rapamycin being developed for the treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Fast track designation is intended to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need.
The designation was requested based on the potential for eRapa to address an unmet medical need for FAP, a condition which left untreated universally leads to colorectal cancer. Today, the only treatment option is surgical resection of the colon and/or rectum. Data from the Phase 2 study of eRapa in FAP showed eRapa to be safe and well-tolerated with a median 17% reduction in total polyp burden at 12 months compared with baseline and an overall 75% non-progression rate. Patients in cohort 2 experienced an 89% non-progression rate and 29% median reduction in polyp burden at 12 months compared with baseline. The dosing given to cohort 2 โ daily every other week -- is the preferred dosage regimen for the upcoming registrational Phase 3 study.
eRapa in FAP
FAP is characterized as a proliferation of polyps in the colon and/or rectum, usually occurring in mid-teens. There is no approved therapeutic option for treating FAP patients, for whom active surveillance and surgical resection of the colon and/or rectum remain the standard of care. If untreated, FAP universally leads to cancer of the colon and/or rectum. There is a significant hereditary component to FAP with a reported prevalence of one in 5,000 to 10,000 in the US1 and one in 11,300 to 37,600 in Europe2. Biodexa has received US FDA Orphan Drug designation for eRapa in FAP and plans to seek a