EDISON, N.J., Aug. 14, 2019 — Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:HEPA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of liver disease arising from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (“NASH”) and chronic viral infection, today announced that it has dosed the first patient in a 28-day multiple ascending dose clinical trial of Rencofilstat.
Designed to assess safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of Rencofilstat, this study is the third and final stage of Rencofilstat’s streamlined early clinical program, which was agreed upon with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).
Patients in four cohorts will be administered Rencofilstat in doses ranging from 75 mg to 375 mg in combination with 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) antiviral therapy, over a 28-day period. Each cohort is comprised of four patients, equally divided between hepatitis B e-antigen (“HBeAg”) positive and negative.
“Having established safety and tolerability of Rencofilstat alone, as well as when co-dosed with TDF, this trial will monitor safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of Rencofilstat when administered repeatedly for 28 days in virally-suppressed HBV patients,” stated Dr. Foster, Hepion’s CEO. “Although the study’s focus will be on markers of safety, we will also look for any anti-viral and anti-fibrotic activity.”
The study will include a fifth dosing cohort of HBV patients with Metavir scores, a measure of inflammation and fibrosis, of F2/F3. These patients will be administered 225 mg Rencofilstat to analyze exploratory markers of HBV infection and liver fibrosis.
“Rencofilstat is a promising candidate for HBV patients who still need therapies in the absence of a cure,” said Dr. Stephen Harrison of Pinnacle Clinical Research and a Visiting Professor of Hepatology at Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford. “As a new class of drug for liver disease with a novel mechanism of action, Rencofilstat has the potential to decrease viral markers and fibrosis.”
In the first stage of Rencofilstat’s streamlined clinical program, Rencofilstat met the primary endpoints of safety and tolerability in a single ascending dose study of healthy volunteers. In the second stage, Hepion confirmed the safety of co-dosing Rencofilstat and TDF in a single-dose, drug-drug interaction study in healthy subjects.
About Rencofilstat
Rencofilstat is a clinical stage cyclophilin inhibitor. Its primary biochemical action is inhibition of cyclophilin isomerase activity, which is known to play a key role in protein folding. In non-clinical, experimental models of NASH, Rencofilstat reduced fibrosis scores and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor burden. In addition, Rencofilstat has also shown activity against certain viruses including HBV, HCV, and HIV-1. Rencofilstat has demonstrated an ability to reduce multiple markers of HBV infection including reductions in DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV uptake by liver cells. These multiple modes of action may play an important role in the overall treatment of liver disease, from triggering events through to end-stage liver disease. Rencofilstat has completed phase 1 human clinical trials.
About Hepion Pharmaceuticals
Hepion Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of targeted therapies for liver disease arising from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and chronic hepatitis virus infection (HBV, HCV, HDV). The Company’s lead drug candidate, Rencofilstat, reduces liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma tumor burden in experimental models of NASH. Preclinical studies also have demonstrated antiviral activities towards HBV, HCV, and HDV through several mechanisms. These diverse therapeutic activities result from Rencofilstat’s potent inhibition of cyclophilin enzymes, which are involved in many disease processes. Currently in clinical phase development, Rencofilstat shows potential to play an important role in the overall treatment of liver disease – from triggering events through to end-stage disease.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimated,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Hepion Pharmaceuticals’ current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, substantial competition; our ability to continue as a going concern; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties with respect to lengthy and expensive clinical trials, that results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; limited sales and marketing efforts and dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. As with any drug candidates under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that future clinical trials discussed in this press release will be completed or successful, or that any product will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be commercially successful. Hepion Pharmaceuticals does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in Hepion Pharmaceuticals’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For further information, please contact:
Stephen Kilmer
Hepion Pharmaceuticals Investor Relations
Direct: (646) 274-3580
skilmer@hepionpharma.com