The market for cough remedies globally generated $7.08 billion in 2020, and that figure is expected to reach $9.91 billion by 2030, according to Allied Global Research.
In related news, Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AGN:CSE; AGNPF:OTCQB; AGW:FSE) decided to expand its clinical program aimed at repurposing NP-120 (Ifenprodil), with a Phase 2 trial focused solely on chronic cough.
"The data support a relative reduction in cough count for patients in the study."
The British Columbia-based biopharma investigates safe drugs or naturally occurring compounds, already approved but outside of the U.S. and Europe, for new disease applications then moves them through the clinic and approval process. Along with Ifenprodil, the biopharma is pursuing a clinical program of the psychedelic compound AP-188 (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, or DMT) in stroke, another sizable market.
As the next step with lead drug candidate Ifenprodil, Algernon will file a pre-investigational new drug meeting request with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its input regarding a phase 2 trial of Ifenprodil, an NMDA receptor antagonist, solely in chronic cough, as noted in a news release.
A cough that lasts eight or more weeks in adults or four weeks in children is considered chronic.
The biopharma opted to pursue a standalone chronic cough study based on interim results of the chronic cough component of its 20-patient Phase 2 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) trial underway in Australia and New Zealand.
Chronic cough was included in this study because it is a symptom that occurs in a subset of patients with IPF. Oftentimes in this population, the cough is severe and more difficult to treat than in patients whose cough is due to other causes.
The encouraging study results consisted of 24-hour and waking cough counts measured with an ambulatory cough monitor at baseline and after four and 12 weeks of treatment: 20 milligrams of Ifenprodil three times a day.
The data showed that patients' cough counts at these two post-treatment times were lower than at baseline.
Unlike the combination IPF/chronic cough Phase 2 trial, the chronic cough-only study will be powered to ensure statistical significance and will include a placebo control.
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1) Doresa Banning compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.
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