Retrophin results and why they are relevant to DXB
A key highlight of the NDF research report was the Company’s comments on our current study as compared to a similar study being carried out by Retrophin (San Diego, CA) RTRX (NASDAQ). Retrophin’s phase 2 study using Sparsaentan, in patients with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), showed a decrease in proteinuria by 44.8%. The ‘active control’ arm of irbesartan showed a reduction in proteinuria of 18%. This means the effective proteinuria reduction above standard of care is actually around 27%, as sparsentan is used as a replacement for the standard of care treatment of irbesartan. As a result patients using this treatment are required to stop using one of their standard medications. Our current study has shown decreases in proteinuria of greater than 50% in some patients who were already stable on irbesartan (therefore this reduction is additional to the reduction in proteinuria typically seen in patients taking irbesartan, of between 20-30%). DMX-200 is thus broadly competitive with Retrophin’s drug and may, in fact, be superior because patients do not need to stop taking their medication for managing hypertension. Approximately 80% of Chronic Kidney disease patients suffer from hypertension as well, so taking DMX-200 will not jeopardise the therapeutic effects of concurrently taking irbesartan.
The biggest issue with Sparsentan development at present is that they have not shown safety in combination with Irbersartan or its cousins. Sparsentan inhibits the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) like irbersartan and dual blockade of this (as has been shown before) may lead to unacceptable side effects. If they use it as a stand alone therapy, then as the Shareholder Newsletter states, one potentially could not use a RAS blocker like irbersartan for treating high blood pressure alongside it- which is a critical part of managing kidney and associated heart disease.
DMX-200 broadly competitive with Sparsentan and market cap is $15M.. still a few steps to go, but should DXB or their in-licensing pharma partner get there, we won't be talking in Millions anymore..
DXB Price at posting:
1.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
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