Contineum Therapeutics' PIPE-307 Shows Potential for Treating RRMS, Moves to Phase 2
PIPE-307 shows promise for RRMS, progressing to Phase 2 trials by Contineum Therapeutics.
Breaking News
Aug 01, 2024
Sneha Usakoyal

PIPE-307, a potentially first-in-class M1 receptor
antagonist under development for patients with relapse-remitting multiple
sclerosis (RRMS), has published encouraging preclinical data. Contineum
Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and
developing novel oral small molecule therapies for neuroscience, inflammation,
and immunology indications. The released information offers preliminary proof
that PIPE-307 selectively inhibits the muscarinic type 1 M1 receptor. For the
treatment of RRMS, Contineum Therapeutics thinks that PIPE-307 offers a unique
and scientifically proven strategy.
The most prevalent kind of MS, known as RRMS, affects the
brain and spinal cord and causes demyelinating lesions. Loss of myelin in
demyelinating illnesses causes axons to transmit signals more slowly, which
ultimately results in a permanent loss of neuronal function. According to
Contineum Therapeutics, RRMS's immune-mediated actions stimulate M1 signalling
by raising acetylcholine concentrations locally, which in turn suppresses OPC
development and remyelination. PIPE-307 has the ability to promote OPC maturation
and axon remyelination by inhibiting M1 and releasing this inhibitory brake on
development.
Contineum has started a Phase 2 multi-center randomised
double-blind placebo-controlled proof-of-concept clinical trial in RRMS
patients (NCT06083753) and has finished two Phase 1 clinical studies of
PIPE-307 in healthy volunteers. A number of clinical and imaging endpoints that
are sensitive to alterations in remyelination in RRMS patients will be measured
as part of the VISTA study, which will evaluate safety and effectiveness in
individuals with RRMS. A worldwide license and development agreement with Janssen
Pharmaceutica NV, one of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutical
Companies, provides the basis for the development of PIPE-307.