Innate exceeds SPMS trial recruitment target

Biotech company Innate Immunotherapeutics (ASX:IIL) has closed enrolment in its Phase 2B placebo-controlled efficacy trial of MIS416 in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). The company this week exceeded the original recruitment target of 90 subjects with the enrolment of its 93rd patient.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disabling condition where the body’s immune system attacks the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibres. Within 15 years of being diagnosed, about 60% of sufferers go on to develop a more advanced progressive form of disease (SPMS), severely affecting their mobility and bodily functions and leading them to rely on others for their care. There are currently no approved drugs for the effective ongoing treatment of SPMS.

“Drugs used in early-stage MS aren’t effective in treating SPMS, so finding a treatment for patients that slows the deterioration of their symptoms is very important,” said Professor Pamela McCombe, a neurologist at Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital and a principal investigator in the trial. MIS416 seeks to address this so-far unmet medical need.

A biologically derived novel immune modulator, MIS416 is a microparticle targeting myeloid cells — a subset of innate immune cells. Myeloid cells can play an important role inside the brain of a patient with SPMS by down-regulating inflammation, helping clear myelin debris and upregulating tissue repair processes.

Innate commenced the efficacy trial in November 2014, with 13 patients having so far completed the 12-month study and nine of these having requested support from their physicians to access MIS416 post-study. The study will be completed this time next year.

Innate also reports strong ongoing interest in the study from several major pharmaceutical companies. Innate’s CEO, Simon Wilkinson, said: “I’m confident that a successful trial result in the first half of next year will quickly translate into a major partnering transaction.”

Innate Immunotherapeutics (ASX:IIL) shares were trading 3.03% higher at $0.17 as of around 1 pm on Wednesday.