Positive outcome of Mereo’s phase 1 study of acute exacerbations of COPD drug

Dr Alastair Mackinnon, Chief Medical Officer of Mereo

Mereo BioPharma Group, a clinical stage, UK-based, biopharmaceutical company focused on rare and specialty diseases, has announced the positive outcome of its Phase 1 drug interaction study with acumapimod, the active compound in the company’s novel p38 MAP kinase inhibitor BCT-197.

BCT-197 is currently in a Phase 2 study for the treatment of acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD).

This study evaluated potential drug interactions between acumapimod and the antibiotic azithromycin. The study confirmed no drug interaction or evidence of adverse effects on safety and tolerability, meaning acumapimod may therefore be dosed with azithromycin.

Dr Alastair Mackinnon, Chief Medical Officer of Mereo, said: “We are delighted to announce the results of our Phase 1 drug interaction study.  Patients with COPD frequently use azithromycin in the management of acute exacerbations and some use it as a maintenance therapy for their disease. The results of this study are encouraging as they remove restrictions on patients already taking azithromycin for the ongoing clinical programme and allow physicians to use this common antibiotic in the management of AECOPDs alongside BCT-197.”