City Briefs: 4DPharma and Regional REIT
Leeds-based, 4D pharma, a pharmaceutical company leading the development of Live Biotherapeutics, has opened enrolment for its Phase II clinical trial of oral immunomodulator MRx-4DP0004 for patients hospitalised with Covid-19.
The Phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is enrolling up to 90 patients admitted to hospital with Covid-19 in the UK. Eligible patients will receive daily oral MRx-4DP0004 or placebo, in addition to standard supportive care.
4D pharma’s product has shown the potential to simultaneously down-regulate specific pathological aspects of the hyper-inflammatory response to viral infection, while maintaining the appropriate anti-viral response. Both are key factors in the effective treatment of the respiratory symptoms associated with Covid-19, not only for hospitalised patients with more severe disease but potentially also in patients with milder symptoms to prevent disease progression and hospitalisation.
Dr. Alex Stevenson, chief scientific officer, 4D pharma said, “Reducing hyperinflammation, particularly in the lungs, is key to preventing the exacerbation of symptoms associated with more severe COVID-19. 4D pharma has shown MRx-4DP0004 has the ability to target inflammation in the lungs, potentially reducing the respiratory issues central to COVID-19. 4D pharma aims to use this study to generate robust, meaningful clinical data that will support a safe immunomodulatory Live Biotherapeutic intervention for patients hospitalised with COVID-19.”
He added, “Immunomodulatory intervention in COVID-19 is supported by recent positive results from the UK’s RECOVERY trial, showing dexamethasone reduces the risk of death in hospitalised patients. We believe MRx-4DP0004 has a mechanism of action that may be complementary to that of dexamethasone, which has now become standard-of-care across the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Importantly, in our ongoing asthma study the addition of MRx-4DP0004 to glucocorticoid treatments (the same class of medicines as dexamethasone) has to date been safe and well tolerated, positioning MRx-4DP0004 to be able to progress rapidly in this new standard-of-care setting. 4D pharma intends to develop MRx-4DP0004 to prevent hospitalised COVID-19 patients deteriorating to the point of needing invasive ventilation and intensive care, and thus alleviate the greatest burdens facing healthcare services. Following positive data from the COVID-19 clinical trial, 4D pharma intends to explore the potential utility of MRx-4DP0004 in additional viral infections like influenza.”
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Regional REIT, the regional real estate investment specialist has announced several new office and warehouse lease renewals as part of the its active approach to optimising portfolio value.
A new office lease has been agreed for 11,673sq.ft Marston Moor Business Park, Tockwith, York for a headline rent is £79,400 pa. The lease runs until June 2026 with a break option in 2023. Also on the business park, the asset manager has secured three new leases across three units to be used as a warehouse and distribution centre. The deal amounts to 9,449sq.ft with a headline rent of £68,000 pa. This contract also runs until June 2026 with break option in 2023.
Finally, Pivot Academy Leeds has signed a lease until June 2025 for 3,345sq. ft at £10.25/sq.ft for office space at Acorn Business Park in Leeds.
