Our fourth treatment area is IPF: another area of significant unmet medical need
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF, is a chronic, relentlessly progressive fibrotic disorder of the lungs that typically affects adults over the age of 40. According to an April 2013 GlobalData EpiCast report, the prevalence of IPF is <30 per 100,000 persons in both Europe and the United States, and, as such, Galapagos believes that IPF is eligible for orphan designation in these jurisdictions. The clinical prognosis of patients with IPF is poor as the median survival at diagnosis is 2–4 years. Currently, no medical therapies have been found to cure IPF. The medical treatment strategy aims to slow the disease progression and improve the quality of life. Lung transplantation may be an option for appropriate patients with progressive disease and minimal comorbidities.
Regulatory agencies have approved Esbriet®1Esbriet® (pirfenidone) is indicated for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by Roche. (pirfenidone) and Ofev®2Ofev® (nintedanib) is indicated for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by Boehringer Ingelheim. (nintedanib) for the treatment of mild to moderate IPF. Both pirfenidone and nintedanib have been shown to slow the rate of functional decline in IPF and are likely to become the standard of care worldwide. These regulatory approvals represent a major breakthrough for IPF patients; yet neither drug improves lung function, and the disease in most patients on these therapies continues to progress. Moreover, the adverse effects associated with these therapies are considerable (e.g., diarrhea, liver function test abnormalities with nintedanib, nausea and rash with pirfenidone). Therefore, there is still a large unmet medical need as IPF remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. According to an April 2013 GlobalData OpportunityAnalyzer report, growth in the United States and European Union IPF markets is expected in the near future with forecasted IPF sales in 2017 of over $1.1 billion.
GLPG1690 is a potent and selective inhibitor of autotaxin (ATX). Galapagos identified ATX as a potential target for IPF, after finding the target using an inflammation assay in its target discovery platform. Pharmacology and translational studies published by other parties since then suggest that ATX may also play a role in metabolic disease, arthritic pain, oncology, and lung disease.
ATX is a secreted enzyme with lysophospholipase D activity responsible for the production of bioactive plasma lipid lysophosphathidic acid, or LPA. LPA signals through several receptors to control a range of cell activities such as migration, contraction and proliferation. In published studies, LPA levels have been shown to be increased in bronchoalveolar lavage, or BLA, fluid, and in exhaled breath condensate, of IPF patients, and ATX levels have been shown to be elevated in the lung tissue of IPF patients. Bristol-Myers Squibb has initiated a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial in IPF patients with an LPA1 receptor antagonist.
Galapagos evaluated GLPG1690 in a pre-clinical lung fibrosis model (bleomycin-treated mice) and observed effects on reducing the fibrotic score, numerically favoring GLPG1690 over pirfenidone.
GLPG1690 has completed a Phase 1 first-in-human trial, the results of which were announced in February 2015. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral single and multiple ascending doses of GLPG1690. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single center trial was conducted in 40 healthy volunteers in Belgium. In this study, GLPG1690 was shown to be well-tolerated in up to 1000 mg daily dose and demonstrated a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. Moreover, in this trial GLPG1690 demonstrated the ability to reduce plasma LPA levels on a sustained basis, implying ATX engagement.
Galapagos is planning to enroll a Phase 2 trial in IPF, and is expecting to complete patient recruitment for this trial before year end 2016, with topline results expected in the first half of 2017. This randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study will recruit 24 patients with IPF from multiple centers in Europe.