TEL AVIV, Israel — Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd., a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics for fibro-inflammatory diseases with high unmet need, today announced early completion of patient enrollment in its Phase 2 clinical trial assessing CM-101 as a treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The company also announced that it expects to report topline data from the PSC clinical trial by midyear 2024, rather than in the second half of 2024 as previously projected.
“We are delighted we were able to accelerate our expected topline PSC clinical data milestone to midyear 2024 as a result of early completion of patient enrollment in this critical Phase 2 trial,” said Adi Mor, PhD, co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of Chemomab. “We believe that CM-101 has the potential for disease-modifying activity in PSC, a severe fibro-inflammatory liver disease that has no FDA-approved therapies. We anticipate that positive data from this 68-patient clinical trial would be a major catalyst for Chemomab and allow us to move towards a registrational trial in PSC. Positive data would also set the stage for advancing CM-101 in other fibro-inflammatory diseases such as systemic sclerosis, where we have an open U.S. IND to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial.”
CM-101 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the soluble protein CCL24, which in preclinical and clinical studies has been associated with key pathways underlying PSC pathophysiology. CM-101’s dual anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activity has demonstrated disease modifying potential in PSC and other fibro-inflammatory disorders. CM-101 has Orphan Drug designation for PSC in the U.S. and the European Union (EU) and was recently awarded Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
Chemomab Chief Medical Officer Matt Frankel, MD, added, “We appreciate the diligent work of our clinical and medical teams and our collaborators at medical centers around the world who completed enrollment in the PSC trial ahead of projections, as well as the commitment of the many patients and advocacy organizations who contributed to the success of the study to date. We are gratified at the high level of interest the SPRING trial has generated among patients and physicians, highlighting the urgent need for effective PSC therapies.”
Chemomab’s Phase 2 SPRING trial (NCT04595825) is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple dose study assessing the safety and tolerability of CM-101 administered to PSC patients with established large duct disease. The trial has completed enrollment of the planned 68 patients in the U.S., EU and Israel. Enrolled patients receive either 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg of CM-101 or placebo via an intravenous infusion every three weeks over 15 weeks. The SPRING trial includes an open label extension available to all study participants, who receive infusions of either 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg of CM-101 every three weeks for an additional 33 weeks. In addition to safety, the trial is measuring a wide range of secondary outcomes including serum biomarkers and physiological parameters. These include well-validated liver biomarkers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ELF and PRO-C3, as well as FibroScan assessments of liver stiffness.
About Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
PSC is a rare, progressive liver disease, characterized by inflammation and fibrosis (scarring) of the bile ducts. Eventually, it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver failure. PSC also increases the risk of various cancers, which account for about half of PSC deaths. PSC affects an estimated 30,000 patients in the U.S. and about 80,000 worldwide. The disease can occur in all ages, genders and races, but is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in patients in their 40s. The underlying cause of PSC is unknown, but about 75% of individuals with PSC also have inflammatory bowel disease. Currently there are no FDA or EMA-approved therapies for patients with PSC. Liver transplantation is common in advanced cases, but even then, PSC re-occurs in about 20% of transplanted patients. There is a high unmet need for therapeutic options to address the symptoms and modify the progression of this devastating illness.
About CM-101
CM-101 is a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes CCL24, a soluble protein that helps drive the inflammatory and fibrotic pathways central to many fibro-inflammatory diseases. CCL24’s role as a therapeutic target has been validated in extensive preclinical studies and Chemomab researchers have demonstrated preclinical proof-of-concept for CM-101 in multiple animal and patient sample studies. CM-101 was safe and well tolerated in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials to date. In a Phase 1b study it improved liver biomarkers, decreased liver stiffness and demonstrated a favorable PK and target engagement profile in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Data from a completed Phase 2a liver fibrosis trial in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients (NCT05824156) reported in 2023 showed consistent, positive improvements in key inflammatory and fibrogenesis-related biomarkers, including several that may serve as a potential bridge to activity in PSC. CM-101 has received Orphan Drug designation from the FDA and the EU’s EMA, along with FDA Fast Track status.
About Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd.
Chemomab is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics for fibro-inflammatory diseases with high unmet need. Based on the unique and pivotal role of CCL24 in promoting fibrosis and inflammation, Chemomab developed CM-101, a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes CCL24 activity. In preclinical and clinical studies, CM-101 appears safe, with the potential to treat multiple severe and life-threatening fibro-inflammatory diseases. Chemomab has reported encouraging results from three clinical trials of CM-101 in patients, including a Phase 1b trial in NAFLD patients, a Phase 2a liver fibrosis trial in NASH patients and an investigator-initiated study in patients with severe lung injury. The CM-101 program for the treatment of systemic sclerosis is Phase 2-ready with an open U.S. IND. A Phase 2 trial in primary sclerosing cholangitis patients has completed patient enrollment, with topline data expected in midyear 2024.
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Barbara Lindheim
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Phone: +1 917-355-9234
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