Synairgen collaboration

Synairgen (LSE: SNG), a respiratory and drug discovery-focused venture in the UK has received expedited approval rom the UK-based Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Health Research Authority (HRA) to conduct a trial of SNG001 (inhaled formulation of interferon-beta 1a) in COVID-19 patients to potentially assist with the global outbreak of this virus.

On 20 July 2020, Synairgen plc announced positive results from its trial of SNG001, the Company’s wholly-owned inhaled formulation of interferon beta in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. A replay of the webinar hosted 20 July 2020 discussing positive results of SNG001 in hospitalised COVID-19 patients is available here.

The Phase II double-blind placebo-controlled trial called SG016 recruited 101 patients from 9 specialists sites in the UK during the period 30 March to 27 May 2020 and found that patients receiving SNG001 had a 79% lower risk of developing severe disease compared to placebo and additionally that patients who received SNG001 were more than twice as likely to recover from COVID-19 as those on placebo.

The company has inked different licensing deals, such as a collaboration in 2015 with Pharmaxis to develop an oral LOXL2 inhibitor to reduce fibrosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). By 2017, this agreement was updated as Synairgen received 5 million UK Pounds in upfront payment and circa 17% of any future net partnering proceeds from all fibrotic indications.

Where does Pharmaxis stand in relationship with SNG001?