Bellus Health posts proof-of-concept data for cough candidate

Canadian biotech Bellus Health (NASDAQ:BLU) announced Wednesday Phase 1 data for its lead asset camlipixant (BLU-5937), highlighting results as a demonstration of its proof of concept as an extended-release (“ER”) formulation in refractory chronic cough (“RCC”).

The open-label bioavailability equivalence study enrolled 16 healthy adult subjects to test the company’s twice-daily Immediate Release (“IR”) formulation of camlipixant against the once-daily ER formulation.

Bellus (BLU) said that ER formulation indicated equivalent bioavailability to the IR formulation leading to equivalent total systemic drug exposure and equivalent minimum drug concentration.

The ER formulation was well tolerated demonstrating a safety profile in line with prior camlipixant trials and leading to no taste-related adverse events.

“We are pleased with the outcome of the bioavailability equivalence study, which establishes the proof of concept for developing a once-daily formulation of camlipixant,” an oral P2X3 inhibitor in late-stage development, Chief Executive Roberto Bellini remarked.

The company plans to conduct a multiple-dose study for the ER formulation, and a patent application has also been filed for the once-daily regimen.

Seeking Alpha contributor Zach Bristow argues that, supported by data from its recent clinical trials, BLU is pushing ahead in its plans to serve an unmet medical need in RCC.